Elder Mediation
Conversations about aging parents, care arrangements or family conflict over an older person's wishes are difficult to have alone. Elder mediation gives your family a structured, respectful way to work through these issues together, with the older person's own priorities at the centre.
What is elder mediation?
Elder mediation is a voluntary, person-centred process that helps older people, their families and carers reach decisions about care, living arrangements or family conflict, promoting understanding and protecting the older person's autonomy and dignity.
Who is elder mediation for?
- Families navigating aged care or living arrangement decisions
- Siblings or carers in conflict over an older relative's care
- Families wanting to avoid a guardianship tribunal or court process
- Anyone wanting the older person's own wishes to stay central to the decision
The elder mediation process
- Individual meetings, around an hour with each participant to understand the issue from every side.
- Joint session, arranged only once mediation is agreed as the right path forward, in a private setting.
- Facilitated discussion, the mediator helps everyone communicate without taking sides or making decisions for the family.
- Outcome, agreed arrangements are documented, ready for formalisation with legal advice where needed.
Why choose Mediation House
Michael J. Tyler is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, accredited by the Australian Attorney-General's Department, holding a Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution. Sessions are confidential, available in person at our Sydney CBD office or online Australia-wide with a 30% fee reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is elder mediation?
Elder mediation is a voluntary, person-centred process that helps older people, their families and carers reach decisions about care, living arrangements or family conflict, without going to court. The mediator doesn't advise or decide, they help everyone communicate and find common ground.
How does the process work?
Elder mediation typically starts with a private, individual meeting between the mediator and each participant, usually around an hour, to understand the issue from every side. If mediation is the right path forward, a joint session is then arranged in a private, confidential setting.
What issues can elder mediation resolve?
Common issues include care arrangements, aged care or living decisions, family conflict over an older person's wishes, and disputes between siblings or carers. The process centres the older person's own priorities and aims to protect their autonomy and dignity.
What are the benefits over going to a tribunal or court?
Elder mediation avoids the cost, delay and distress of a tribunal hearing or litigation, helps preserve family relationships, and produces agreements that reflect the older person's own priorities rather than a decision imposed on them.
Is elder mediation legally binding?
Elder mediation agreements aren't automatically legally binding, but they can be formalised into binding arrangements, such as enduring powers of attorney or family agreements, with appropriate legal advice.
Ready to talk through your family's situation? Contact Mediation House for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.
Phone: 02 9159 9161
Office: Sydney CBD (in-person) | Australia-wide (online)