The Magic of Elder Mediation

Elder mediation can enhance family communication skills and change the face of health care as we know it. It promotes dignity and respect and enhances the quality of life for all concerned. Elder mediation is a focused, preventative, respectful process – usually multi-party, multi-issue and intergenerational - whereby a trained elder mediator ensures, as much as possible, that all who need to be are present in the mediation. The mediator facilitates discussions focusing on present strengths and assists participants in exploring their stated issues or concerns. This form of mediation often involves the many people related to the issues, such as family members, caregivers, organizations, agencies and/or any named service providers.

International trainer, bestselling author, guest lecturer and certified FMC (Family Mediation Canada) Comprehensive Family Mediator and Elder Mediator, Judy pioneered training for elder mediators in 1994 and drafted the Code of Conduct for Elder Mediators. She sits on the elder mediation certification committee, is a past president of Family Mediation Canada and Elder Mediation Canada, and is involved in several research initiatives on elder mediation. Judy is chair of the Elder Mediation International Network and co-chaired five World Summits with the 6th International Summit to be held in Adelaide, South Australia in 2013 (Apr29-May 1).

Judy has twice represented Canada on the CARF International Accreditation Committee in Washington DC to develop international standards for long term care facilities.