One Mediation

Click here to read "Why Go To Elder Mediation?"

What Is Elder Mediation?

Elder Mediation can be thought of as a way of sharing decision-making responsibilities among family members, but with a mediator - a knowledgeable referee
- who helps individuals engage in "shared decision-making." Elder Mediation is a process where positive discussions are promoted to address and to resolve
long-term care issues and related matters among loved ones and care-givers. It is an appointment with a mediator who helps participants share ideas,
perspectives, and solutions.

Elder Mediation brings people together to work out solutions and to plan in an uncertain time for a loved one. A mediator is not a judge, but rather is a
trained professional who makes sure that communication flows freely between siblings, care givers, and others in order to reach a logical and satisfactory
resolution and, importantly, a plan that all people vested in the process can live with. Often these discussions air out concerns relating to what will be in the
"best interests" of the loved one, even when there is disagreement at the start of the conversation, your mediator will work with the group to reach an
agreement that contemplates these concerns.

Elder Mediators are trained in the art of negotiating resolutions among elderly parents and family members, with an emphasis on dynamics between adult
siblings. The mediator listens to the all of the parties explain the problems and their concerns as they see them, and then helps the parties develop and agree
upon workable solutions.

Mediation, or shared decision-making, may take the form of a family meeting to share information on a family member's care (after a scare or crisis), develop
options, and reach consensus on difficult decisions where the future is uncertain. The mediation process also can help families resolve disputes or issues that
are impacting some or all family members, caregivers, and the care recipient.

Your mediation may be the best appointment for obtaining the best care for your loved one, reducing animosity and second-guessing, and preserving the
long-term relationships between those who surround your loved one who is in need.

What Issues Can Be Addressed in Mediation?

Almost any dispute that rises in connection with the aging of a family member can be addressed in mediation. Some of the most common issues are:

- health and medical care
- financial arrangements
- care-giving schedules and expenses
- living arrangements
- driving
- re-marriage planning
- property maintenance
- family members' roles in decisions
- guardianship decisions
- end-of-life care and decisions
- probate matters such as wills, estates and trusts

What Happens At Mediation?

In a typical mediation:

- The mediator explains the process and ground rules.
- One by one, each party explains his/her point of view in an uninterrupted manner and with the assistance of the mediator who may ask clarifying questions
or make comments regarding senior resources.
- The mediator works with the parties to identify the issues relating to the loved one's care and related concerns for discussion;
- The mediator encourages the parties to propose options and prioritize solutions on how they can address matters, crises, etc. to their satisfaction.
- The mediator facilitates the creation of a written plan of action for the parties to discuss and to reach consensus upon;
- The mediator provides each person with a copy of the items in their plan where agreement is made;
- With a written plan that includes names, dates, etc., the level of clarity about responsibilities promotes the likelihood that the loved one - the care-recipient
- will not inadvertently cause misunderstandings and hurt feelings between family members and will receive the best from those around him or her.

By joining the Elder Care Decision Program, each participant will have a telephone conference with the mediator prior to their appointment where all
participants will meet. The phone conferences generally last no more than fifteen minutes and are intended to help families prepare for their appointment by
providing the family member a series of questions to consider in advance of the appointment.

At the appointment, the mediator will facilitate discussions among the family. Business-people comment that the session has similarities to "strategic
planning sessions." Indeed, this appointment will focus on the future, planning for the future, and identifying where shared priorities exist. The care of a
loved one is important business!

How Do We Get Started?

Getting started is easy. To register for the Elder Care Decision Program, a family member contacts the One Mediation offices at (404) 720-0599 to begin
scheduling the mediation appointment. Usually, the family member who initiates the call provides the names and telephone numbers of the individuals that
they believe will participate in the mediation appointment.

From there, One Mediation will work with the family member to schedule the mediation appointment with all individuals and to obtain each participant's
$100.00 deposit. The deposit requirement assures One Mediation that family members are committed to the mediation appointment and process.
Mediation occurs at One Mediation's Buckhead office, unless another location is requested by the family. Routinely, One Mediation holds mediations outside
Atlanta and has comfortable locations for these sessions. We also have participants present via conference call. Just ask.

How Much Does It Cost?

Each participant is required to make a $100.00 deposit at the time of scheduling. Collectively, these deposits are applied to the hourly fee charged by the
mediator at the family's appointment. These hourly fees range from $175 to $225 and are typically divided equally between all parties.

During these facilitated family meetings, mediators may contact experts or other resources to obtain information that the family needs in order to move
forward and to have greater understanding of an issue. Infrequently, these calls result in an additional fee.

Most family meetings last 3 to 6 hours, and One Mediation applies the deposits to the final fees. When the Program deposits exceed the fees, each family
member receives a partial refund, unless other arrangements are made. When the fees exceed the deposits, an invoice is sent to each participant that reflects
his or her portion of the overage, unless another arrangement is made with the mediator during the appointment.

For example:

The Jones family has four adult children (all married) and a seventy year-old father who is becoming overwhelmed by his wife's declining health and
increasing care needs. One child proposes mediation, and the family decides to enter the Program around Thanksgiving, when everyone typically comes
together. All four children and their spouses wish to participate, along with Father. The total deposits paid will be $500.00 ($100 for father and $100 per
child and the spouse).

The Jones' mediation lasts four hours and the mediator's hourly fee is $225.00. The total fees incurred are $900.00. After the deposits are applied, the
$400.00 balance is divided equally amongst each family member or family unit ($400 divided by 5). One Mediation then sends an invoice for $80.00 to
each participating family member, unless another arrangement is made during the appointment. Thus, each participant pays $180.00 to plan for the care of
their mother (and, frankly, their father).

One Mediation accepts cash, checks, credit and debit card, and PayPal payments. Many families prefer receiving an email request for payment through
PayPal that facilitates convenient, online payment.

Who is the Mediator?

Jennifer Keaton and Heather Wright, help families who set an appointment in the Program. All of these mediators are attorneys who are registered mediators
with the State of Georgia and have expertise in elder care matters and local resources.