I recently attended the 2010 World Summit & Symposium on Elder Mediation and presented on the topics of ethics and planning for incapacity.

I enclose my presentation slides on both topics:

It is estimated that there are currently 3.7 million Canadians over the age of 65. With the leading edge of the “baby boomers” poised to hit retirement in 2011, seniors will soon make up close to a quarter of the population. This demographic shift will have a profound effect on our society socially and economically.

The potential for issues and disputes will increase as larger numbers of older adults face life transitions and issues of incapacity, health care, housing, finances, family and relationship concerns, possible abuse and neglect, estate planning, end of life decisions and other significant concerns. Elder mediation is a potential solution to assist seniors, their families and other stakeholders facing a maze of options and tough decisions.

What is Elder Mediation?

The Elder Mediation Canada web site defines elder mediation as follows:

Elder mediation is a cooperative process in which a professionally trained elder mediator helps facilitate discussions that assist people in addressing the myriad of changes and stresses that often occurs throughout the family life cycle. Elder mediation typically involves larger numbers of participants including older people, family members, friends and others who are willing to give support. Depending on the situation it is not uncommon to include paid caregivers, hospital staff, nursing home and or community care representatives, physicians and other professionals.

Over the past 20 years mediation with age-related issues has been emerging as a distinct specialty in the field. Elder Mediation is now being recognized internationally as an important step in the continuum of care – promoting wellness, developing prevention strategies and enhancing quality of life. The focus is on addressing concerns and issues while maintaining and strengthening the myriad of relationships critical to the well-being of the older person.

Presented by: Karen Redmond, Steve Andrea and Tanya Murray

Terminal City Club
837 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC

RSVP: Contact Susan at susan@bcheritagelaw.com or 778-786-0615 ext. 112

Presented by: Nicole Garton-Jones, Trevor Todd and Michael Anderson

Here is practical advice for setting up and succeeding. Hear from those who have done it successfully and can share their knowledge and experience—both good and bad—with you. You will hear about planning for success, setting up your office, marketing, client relations, managing money, and future trends. If you are considering going out on your own, or you have recently set up a practice, this course will have plenty of practical advice, with anecdotes to bring that advice to life.

To sign up: http://www.cle.bc.ca/OnlineStore/productdetails.aspx?id=1833810

Capilano Golf & Country Club
West Vancouver, BC

Speaker: Karen Redmond

Crowne Plaza
Chicago, USA

Topics will include:

• Ethics
• Training & Credentialing
• Models for Elder Mediation
• Elder Abuse
• Dementia, caregiving & guardianship
• Legal issues
• Research projects
• New Elder Mediation Initiatives
• Elder Mediation -What’s In A Name?

Speakers include:

• Arline Kardasis
• Teresa Rivera-Mildenhall
• Bernadette Casey
• Dr. Cheryl Woodson
• Patricia Mutch
• Kathryn Mariani
• Daniel Kuhn
• Dr. Judy Lynn Richards
• Charles Golbert
• Dr. Raj Shah
• Penny Hommel
• Dr. Pat Donihee
• Elizabeth Sterritt
• Sandy Stavropoulos
• Linda Ochsenfeld
• Judy McCann-Beranger
• Nicole Garton-Jones
• And many more…

Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver
645 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC

The CBABC Women Lawyers Forum (WLF) and its Education Committee is planning another exciting and informative event to take place on Friday, May 14, 2010. The theme of this year’s event will be Leadership and Ethics.

You will be both inspired and motivated by our outstanding line-up of speakers who include:

• Rita C. Andreone, Lawson Lundell LLP
• Nicole Garton-Jones, Heritage Law
• Stacey Handley, Lang Michener LLP
• Paula Kalsi, Paula H. Kalsi Law Corporation
• Marion McAdam, President, 4th Wall Consulting
• Liz Watson, Watson Advisors Inc
• Jean Whittow QC, Hordo & Bennett