Elder Mediation: Can It Contribute to the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the Protection of the Rights of Elders and Their Carers?

• NCJ Number: 149200
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (1994) Pages: 83-96
• Author(s): Y Craig
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Mediation is currently being offered in the U.S. to elders as a service to complement other forms of intervention including advocacy and legal, medical, psychiatric, and social assistance.

Abstract

The principles upon which mediation is based, and that apply to all older and vulnerable persons, include minimal intervention, the transformation of disputes, and communicative ethics. This article describes two demonstration projects in which senior volunteers and long-term care ombudsmen were trained in mediation skills. Qualitative data indicated that seniors were enthusiastic about the value of their peer role in helping elders and their carers manage conflict more constructively. Persons who used the mediation services seemed to be satisfied by the outcome. The limited demand for mediation services is explained here by the lack of familiarity with the process among seniors, particularly those living in poorer neighborhoods. 47 references