Find Mediators Near You:

Mediation, Elder Abuse And Saving The Family: Mediation & Conflict Strategies To Avoid Elder Abuse

Texas Conflict Coach Audio Blog by Pattie Porter

Listen to the podcast here.

The guest speaker on the podcast is Steven G. Mehta , one of California’s premier award-winning attorney mediators thanks to his work in helping resolve disputes in a variety of types of civil litigation. Steve has been successfully mediating complex cases since 1999.  He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, 112 Ways to Succeed in Negotiation or Mediation.

Here are strategies for avoiding elder abuse:

1) Be vigilant and watch for the early signs in your senior family member that might indicate “diminished capacity.” You can do this by…
a) Visiting your elderly family member more often especially if you do not live close by
b) Calling on a regular basis so as to prevent isolation from that senior member of the family
c) Talking to friends and family to get more information on how the elderly family member and caregiver are doing

2) Before making accusations about elder abuse or neglect, get knowledgeable about the situation and try to understand what is happening
a) Don’t jump to conclusions or accusations
b) Try to understand from the caregiver’s perspective whether it be a sister, brother or other family member who lives day-in and day-out with the elder person

3) Change the words you use from “You should have” or “You did that” TO I-statements. Take ownership of your feelings and thinking by saying “I feel left out.” or “I think mom needs..” or “I believe…” This will prevent putting the other person on the defense.

4) Stop talking and LISTEN without interruption.

                        author

Patricia Porter

Patricia "Pattie" Porter, LCSW, ACC, is the Founder and President of Conflict Connections, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. She provides workplace conflict resolution services including conflict management and abrasive behavior coaching, EEO and workplace mediation, change management and team facilitation, and training throughout the U.S. She is the Founder of… MORE >

Featured Members

ad
View all

Read these next

Category

Parallels of Mediation & Theater

What does theater have to do with mediation, you ask? Well, many skills learned in the study of theater also highlight important mediation skills and concepts. Interestingly, parallels can be...

By Valerie Brunnette
Category

Common Ground

From the Blog of Phyllis G. Pollack.       The other week, my blog discussed the Thomas-Kilmann MODE Instrument that is used to assess how individuals confront and handle conflict. One of...

By Phyllis Pollack
Category

Elements of an Unsuccessful Negotiation Strategy

PGP Mediation Blog by Phyllis G. Pollack Negotiation strategy and legal malpractice claims have much in common. This point struck me as I read an article in the California state...

By Phyllis Pollack
×