State Grant-In-Aid Supports Mediations & Family Meetings for Seniors

Kuʻikahi Mediation Center and West Hawaiʻi Mediation Center announces they are receiving state grant-in-aid funds to support mediations and facilitated family meetings for seniors ages 60 and up.

Kūpuna and Caregiver

“Hawai‘i Islands two non-profit mediation centers have teamed up to provide mediation services on critical issues affecting our kupuna, including disputes among tenants and landlords, neighbors, debt collection agencies and consumers, buyers and sellers of goods and services and many others,” said Ku‘ikahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell.

In mediation, an impartial person (the mediator) assists seniors to resolve their disputes.  The mediator helps the involved parties systematically work through the issues, identify alternatives, and reach final agreement.  Mediation focuses on the participants and their needs.  A key element of mediation is that the mediator does not impose a decision on them.  Instead, the parties work together toward a mutually satisfying solution.

“We also offer facilitated family meetings, in which seniors, spouses, adult children, siblings, and other relatives can have structured conversations and create agreements to support their kupuna,” said Amanda Blount, Interim Executive Director at WHMC.  “Most older adults require some form of family care planning and coordination, especially when facing challenges like reduced mobility or dementia.  How can families juggle changing needs regarding physical care along with financial and legal issues?  Family meetings can help.”

The two mediation centers offer a safe space for having difficult conversations, making tough decisions, and resolving disputes that can often arise as a result of aging or illness and shifting responsibilities or caregiving.  The process of mediation and facilitated family meetings assists seniors to make important choices.

In East Hawaiʻi, contact Kuʻikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or [email protected].  In West Hawaiʻi, contact West Hawaiʻi Mediation Center at (808) 885-5525 or [email protected].

This program has been made possible in part through Federal Older Americans Act Title III and State of Hawai‘i funding from Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging and the State Executive Office on Aging.