Retirement Planning, Elder Law, and Senior Finance What Is Eldercaring Coordination? 10/7/2021 | By Seniors Guide Staff Whenever more than one adult child is involved in caring for a senior parent, the potential for disputes is heightened. Fortunately, most adult siblings can set aside these differences and work together. However, sometimes family members cannot (or choose not to) find common ground. Instead, they re-hash old disagreements, even forming factions that make resolutions all but impossible. While these family feuds are playing out, the older adult becomes lost and forgotten in the fighting, and their care often suffers. Scenarios like this have led to a promising new approach, giving the courts a new way to respond. It’s called eldercaring coordination, and a court’s order to participate in it provides families with a way to resolve disputes and ensures accountability from those caring for the elderly adult. What is eldercaring coordination? Eldercaring coordination is designed to resolve disputes in cases where a higher level of conflict is evident among family members. The court appoints a specially trained coordinator to assist the older adult, authorized decision-makers, and anyone else invited to participate. The goal is to resolve family disputes regarding the senior’s needs for safety and independence. This eldercare dispute resolution process does not replace mediators, lawyers, therapists, financial advisors, or any other professionals. Instead, the process complements these services, providing support and a more holistic environment where families can work through their differences. Under what conditions do courts order eldercaring coordination? A court orders eldercaring coordination to ensure an aging person’s safety and care, especially when determining that family conflicts jeopardize those goals. The courts often order eldercare dispute resolution in the following cases: Multiple court motions citing non-legal issues or competing petitions for appointment as a guardian or conservatorWhen there are concerns over an aging person’s care and safetyImbalances of power where only some parties have legal representationFrequent disputes concerning immeasurable or unconfirmed issuesPossessive or controlling behaviors toward the aged personIn cases where mediation has not been successful What is the role of an eldercaring coordinator? Eldercaring coordinators have the education, conflict resolution skills, and experience to work with the senior, family members, and other professionals to: Manage high-conflict family situationsAssist with the creation and execution of an effective plan for eldercareEnhance safety by monitoring at-risk situationsSupport the older adult’s independenceCreate a support system for the elder and family Eldercaring coordinators are appointed for a term of up to two years, giving them sufficient time to identify and reduce risks, address elder abuse issues, and lay the foundation for harmonious collaboration among family members. What are the benefits of eldercaring coordination? This initiative to provide elder justice is designed to help older adults, families, and the courts mitigate conflict about the safety and care of the elderly. Some of its benefits include: Minimizing family conflict by shifting the focus from conflicts and blame to the welfare of the aging person and the strengths of the familyGenerating more ideas that provide options that work better for the elder and the familyCurtailing delays in decisions concerning medical treatmentSaving money and time since fees are shared and non-legal issues are resolved without waiting for court hearingsDefining roles more clearly, for more appropriate expectations and less contentionIdentifying and addressing problems earlier, providing quicker attention to the elder’s needsIdentifying available resources sooner, so the elder receives care more promptlyProviding an atmosphere of neutrality where there is a higher chance of cooperation Although lawyers and mediators have been resolving disputes involving aging adults for many years, eldercaring coordinators are showing proficiency at settling emotionally charged disagreements over the care and finances of aging parents. Unlike mediation, where parties generally participate willingly, eldercaring coordination is reserved for families in conflict who reject a conventional mediation process. Read More Seniors Guide Staff Seniors Guide has been addressing traditional topics and upcoming trends in the senior living industry since 1999. We strive to educate seniors and their loved ones in an approachable manner, and aim to provide them with the right information to make the best decisions possible.