Sometimes people wonder just when they should consider elder mediation. The time is right whenever the parties (and, where it applies, their advisors, including attorneys) feel the time is right. Mediation can be helpful when the family is faced with making plans for the future well-being of an aging loved one. Communication or caregiving plans may be difficult to create. Even talking about creating a plan can cause conflict. At other times, a sudden crisis may demand an immediate, difficult decision and a dispute must be resolved. Caregiving needs may change overnight or an end-of-life situation may arise when no guidance has been given by the person near death.
In either case, mediation can be beneficial whenever it is apparent family conflict is in danger of harming the family.
