Mediation is often publicly perceived as a tool primarily connected to litigation and court proceedings, with little consideration given to its application in elder-related issues. Yet, as our population ages, the potential of mediation to address the unique challenges faced by seniors remains largely untapped and overlooked.

Common family frictions about elder care can escalate into deep-seated conflicts, such as disagreements over health decisions and long-term care plans, disputes regarding financial management and inheritance, tensions arising from family dynamics at home, caregiver burnout leading to resentment and exhaustion, instances of elder abuse stemming from frustration or misunderstanding, clashes with healthcare professionals over medical treatments, and heated arguments about funeral arrangements and end-of-life wishes.

Elder mediation skills offer a compassionate pathway forward by facilitating neutral, structured dialogues that encourage empathy, clarify needs, and foster collaborative solutions, helping all parties navigate these emotionally charged situations without escalation.

Ultimately, elder mediation can restore harmony within families by resolving conflicts constructively, empower older individuals to maintain their autonomy and dignity in decision-making, and enable public health systems to maximize community support resources more effectively, ensuring holistic care for seniors.

Our vision is for the community to fully recognize the transformative power of elder mediation and to integrate it seamlessly into social welfare and public health systems—alongside established services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and counseling—making it a standard pillar of support for aging gracefully in Hong Kong.

More importantly, we aspire to increase the prevalence of mediation practices at both community and family levels. We believe that fostering effective communication skills will enhance relationships and contribute to a more harmonious society.”