Keeping the Peace Through Elder Mediation

Training Schedule

Registration and Breakfast

1. Introduction (Donald Vanarelli)

• Elder Mediation in New Jersey
• NJAPM Special Interest Section
• Goals of Training Session
• Housekeeping items

2. “Setting the Stage” (Theater Group/Gabrielle Strich/Benni Versaci)

3. What is Elder Mediation? (Donald Vanarelli)

• Goals of Elder Mediation
• Overview of Presenting Issues in Elder Mediation
• Characteristics of Elder Mediation

4. Role of the Geriatric Care Manager (Connie Rosenberg/Judith Parnes)

• Understanding the Aging process
• Assessment and Care Planning
• Long Term Care Options
• Family Dynamics

5. Capacity and the Need for Guardianship (Dr. Mark Pass)

Break

6. Elder Mediation: Process (Donald Vanarelli)

• Preparing for Mediation – Intake Interviews/Calls/Meetings
• Obstacles to Bringing Parties to the Table
• Strategies for Intake/Screening
• Beginning the Mediation – Opening Statements/Case Concerns
• Fact Gathering, Issue Identification, Brain Storming, Option Generation
• Resolution

7. Elder Mediation: Nuances (Donald Vanarelli)

• Ethical Issues – confidentiality, standards, self-determination
• Role of attorneys and advocates, agreements, multiple parties, institutional parties, sources of power and balancing, techniques, caucus

Lunch

8. Role Play (Theater Group/Gabrielle Strich/Benni Versaci)

• Fact Patterns
• Break Out Groups
• Role Play Summaries/Critique

9. Defining Success (Connie Rosenberg/Judith Parnes)

• Resolving disputed issues in mediation
• Giving aging parents a voice
• Helping families to create successful communication systems

10. Elder Law Issues in Elder Mediation (Gabrielle Strich/Donald Vanarelli)

• Capacity and Substitute Decision-Making Arrangements
• Search for Funding Sources: “Finances Drive the Care Plan”
• Public Benefits Planning: Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security/SSI/VA
• Estate and Life Care Planning: Wills, Powers of Attorney, Guardianships
• Undue Influence/ Elder Abuse / Financial Exploitation

Break

11. Getting the Word Out – Elder Mediation Marketing Strategies (Jennifer Decker)

12. Wrap Up/ Questions / Comments (Speakers / Trainers)

Speakers / Trainers

• Jennifer Decker, Mediation Marketing Specialist, Decker Mediation, LLC
• Judith Parnes, LCSW, ACSW, CMS, Elder Life Management, Inc.
• Mark Pass, M.D., Private Practice/Jersey Shore Geriatrics
• Connie Rosenberg, MPS, RN, CCM, CMC, Services and Resources for Seniors
• Gabrielle Strich, Esq., APM, AP, Strich Law Firm
• Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq., CELA, APM, Law Office of Vanarelli & Li, LLC
• Benni Versaci, MA, L(M)SW, C-ASWCM, Spectrum Geriatric Care Management

Seminar Information

• Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012
• Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Moderator: Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq.
• Venue: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, NJ
• Continuing Education Credits: Available for Attorneys, Mediators, Social Workers
• Sponsors: New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators; Elder and Disability Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association
• Cost: $200 before February 15, 2012; $250 thereafter

Registration

To register, please call Ginny Morrissey at the Law Office of Vanarelli & Li, LLC, 908-232-7400, or contact her online by clicking here.