Voice and the Vulnerable Older Person

Presentation by Sandra Jacobson for the Sixth World Summit on Mediation with Aged Related Issues.

April 29-May1, 2013.

MEDIATING WITH AGE RELATED ISSUES

SANDRA JACOBSON

• Educational Counsellor• Child Advocate• Carer• Masters in Mediation and Conflict

Resolution Student

THE NEUTRAL TRAINED MEDIATOR

1. The Older Voice

• age related issues & self- determination

• complexities of advance directives

• impact upon the vulnerable older person’s ability to use their voice.

2. Working with Ageing Families

• family/care conference • voice of the vulnerable older person

• considering ‘couples’• harsh realities & limited resources• partnerships for the future.

3. Respecting capacity

• assisting the substitute decision makers to ensure the older person’s capacity to determine matters that affect them is respected for the whole of their life.

4. Managing the Risk of Exclusion

• When physical appearance belies mental capacity

• risk of exclusion from participation in decisions

5. Understanding Secondary Behaviours

• secondary behaviours emerge from frustration, fear, despair.

6. Interpreting Secondary Behaviours

• can lead to a further loss of dignity and voice

OUTCOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN CARE

If …then …

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

• neutral mediator• trained in age related

issues and facilitated decision making

• transitions and rights• voice of the older person.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES

Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care. (The Charter). 1 October, 2009.