FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rich Blumenthal
207.699.2570
rblumenthal@advantagehomecaremaine.com
Solving Family Conflict Before it Escalates
Portland, Maine — No matter how old we are, it’s amazing how easily we can slip into old childhood roles whenever we get together with our families. It’s just one reason why disagreements happen and tensions rise when siblings are caring for an elderly parent.
In the best-case scenarios families are able to work together to successfully solve problems on their own or have a professional to turn to for help. Too often, the situation escalates and things quickly begin to fall apart.
Rich Blumenthal, president and founder of Advantage Home Care in Portland, provides an array of home care services for seniors and their families. He recently added a new service to help families resolve conflicts. “After my experience with a number of families with ongoing conflicts revolving around care decisions for their parent or loved one,” he says, “I decided to offer Family and Elder Mediation Services. I believe it will help family members, including the person being cared for, to each have a voice and to work through these issues. “
The mediation services will be provided by Nancy Markowitz, who was instrumental in creating the first family mediation program at Youth Alternatives, a non-profit agency in southern Maine. She was director of the program for 11 years, and went on to become one of the primary mediator trainers in Maine, first at the University of Southern Maine and later as program director at Volunteers of America Northern New England.
One of the biggest conflicts families face is around communication,” says Markowitz. “Lack of or misperceived communication. Sometimes families need to go in reverse and look at all the facts. What happened? How was this decision made?”
In her new role at Advantage Home Care, Markowitz will work with seniors and their families to help them clarify the important issues, explore options and come to mutually acceptable solutions.
Advantage Home Care, founded in 2008, is a state registered personal care services company that provides in-home, non-medical care services, including companionship, transportation and errands, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, medication reminders and assistance with personal care. The company also specializes in working with clients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Advantage Home Care is located at 550 Forest Avenue, Suite 206, Portland, Maine 04101.
The post ADVANTAGE HOME CARE OFFERS ELDER AND FAMILY MEDIATION SERVICE appeared first on Press Release Maine.