Older persons
Fair Way is approved by the Retirement Commissioner to provide mediation services to retirement villages and residents.
Retirement village mediation
With New Zealand’s ageing population increasing, there is a growing need for specialist mediation services to resolve disputes that occur in retirement villages.
Disputes can arise between the resident and the operator of their retirement village, between a resident and another resident, and can sometimes involve former residents and representatives, such as a family member or friend.
Mediation is an important step in the complaints process for retirement villages.
As part of the Retirement Villages Code of Practice, retirement villages must follow a formal complaints process which includes the option of mediation for complaints that cannot be resolved directly. Mediation can also be used for resolution of informal complaints.
Fair Way is approved by the Retirement Commissioner to provide mediation services for retirement villages and residents.
Private mediation
The Fair Way team can also mediate private matters for older persons.
Sometimes disagreements can arise between individuals or families.
Common disputes involving older persons include:
- Conflict over family matters
- Disagreements while planning estates and trusts
- Relationship property issues.
Fair Way can help you to resolve any civil or private disputes, while focusing on preserving relationships.
About mediation
At Fair Way, our mediators are fully accredited through the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ), the Resolution Institute or the New Zealand Law Society.
Many of our mediators have experience and specialist training in elder mediation, so you can trust that we have the expertise to help resolve disputes involving older persons.
Before the mediation takes place, the mediator will meet each of the parties who are involved in the dispute. These meetings give the mediator an opportunity to hear each person’s story and understand what each party wants to achieve from the process.
During the mediation, the mediator will help the parties to discuss issues. With expertise in managing both property and contractual disputes, in mediation with older persons, handling complaints, and helping to restore relationships, Fair Way can assist all parties to find a solution.
Preparation for mediation
If you are feeling a little anxious or worried about attending mediation, we offer a preparation for mediation service to help people get ready for this experience.
Preparation for mediation is a mixture of support work and coaching to help you get the most from mediation.
Early Resolution Service
The Retirement Village Early Resolution Service (RVERS) is a free, independent resolution service for residents, their families and village operators.
It is an impartial service that will help you work through issues and concerns quickly and easily. It can also guide you to the appropriate support within the village or elsewhere. Further information is available here.
Other services
Fair Way offers specialist conflict coaching for organisations working with older persons, and we also offer training to support organisations in managing complaints involving older persons.
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about Fair Way’s mediation services for older persons or any of our other services, get in touch the team on 0800 77 44 22 or email fairwayinfo@fairwayresolution.com.