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Marketing Elder Mediation--52 Caviar Ideas on a Burrito Budget

Author:  Patricia Bertschler

Pages:   37  

Copyright © 2010 by Patricia Bertschler.  All rights reserved.  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

ISBN          0-9759379-4-4

Cost:     $20.00 (U.S.)

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Beyond Driving with Dignity

I think this booklet (88 Tips for Shy Introverts: Becoming Personally and Professionally Assertive @2010) is a gem.  Good, solid tips on how anyone can be more confident and overcome difficult situations with ease and grace.  It should be in everyone’s personal library for quick reference!

• Sherry Greenleaf, RCC, President, Impact Training and Development, Cleveland, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia

This review is from: Elder Mediation: A New Solution to Age-Old Problems (Paperback) "This book is the second book on Elder Mediation written by the Bertschlers. In this one the authors have combined all their significant expertise in the process of working with Elders and their families and other parties into a concise and focused treatise on how to manage the mediation of disputes involving Elders and how this process is both different and similar to other types of Family and Civil/Commercial mediation. The book is well constructed so that an experienced mediator can utilize it as a handbook for working in Elder Mediation.

"The book begins with a chapter devoted to the concept of screening parties for anticipated problems. Domestic violence and Elder abuse are notably the most difficult problems and the screening process helps the mediator determine whether there are issues in this area which may preclude the process of mediation. Any restraining orders would affect the mediators ability to work with these parties. If there is a restraining order in place, the mediator will have to get a court order allowing the mediation to take place. The authors include a copy of their intake form and the issues that this form is designed to screen. In addition, the authors include a copy of their "Agreement To Mediate" which all the parties/clients sign. Lastly in this chapter, several case studies are included so the reader can observe how the tools described are utilized in a real case.

"In chapter two, the book addresses one of the most important and delicate issues in all mediations, addressing power imbalances. When parties meet at the mediation table, one might think that they are all equal. But in reality, this is rarely the case. Most of the time, there is a power imbalance. When working with Elders in mediation, this power imbalance comes in many flavors. The following is a short list of potential power imbalance situations:

1. Men compared to women
2. Adults compared to children
3. Highly educated compared to less educated
4. Supervisors vs. workers
5. Experts vs. laborers
6. Physically frail vs. strong and healthy
7. Dr.'s compared to nurses

"In each of these situations, there is the potential for one group to try and leverage their greater position of power against the other group or party to get the result they are seeking at the expense of the other party. The Mediator must be prepared to manage this power imbalance and without favoritism, balance so that all parties have equality at the mediation table.

"There are many methods of dealing with power imbalance. The authors cite several ways in which it can be done. They also cite an article by another mediator who explains the phenomenon as well. The authors are particularly adept at the use of other mediators published works to reveal how others, not just themselves, tackle difficult situations that occur in mediation. This is especially done in their third chapter where the authors tackle the gray area of "Ethics In Elder Mediation." In this chapter, the reader finds many perspectives regarding ethical behavior and mediator neutrality not just through the eyes of the authors, but also through the eyes of other experienced mediators work that the authors have cited as examples of how to handle the problem.

"In chapter four the authors tackle mediation style. There are many different styles of mediation and many manners in which each style can be executed. Through their own experiences as well as through the experiences of other mediators, the authors show the diversity of styles that can be utilized in mediation.

"Finally, the authors finish their book with one of the best synopses of Marketing Mediation that has ever been set down in a book. Marketing is very often a problem for mediator who by and large come from social services, legal or psychology backgrounds. Thus for them to become talented in selling their services is always one of the biggest challenges that mediators face when trying to make a living in this career path. Bertschler and Bertschler do a highly competent job of laying out in detail, but tersely, the methods and tools that they use to market their mediation practice.

"Any mediator who is considering going into Elder Mediation would be wise to utilize the methods that are specified in this book. Reading this book will truly be one of the wisest investments of time and money that a new entrant to Elder Mediation can make. I highly recommend that all mediators engaged in Elder Mediation acquire this book and use what is appropriate for their practice from this well constructed summary of Elder Mediation." -- Jon Linden

Cleveland, Ohio 44131