Workshop offered for caregivers of elderly

Facilitator and mediator Elizabeth Kent, J.D., presents “Communicating More Effectively in Challenging Situations: A Workshop for Caregivers of Adults (age 60 and older)” from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in Hilo and same times Oct. 6 in Kona.

“How can you talk with your siblings about mom’s finances?” Kent said. “Or ask your grandfather if it may be time for him to stop driving? Or tell your family doctor that you don’t like talking about your spouse as if he’s not in the room?

“Knowing when to bring up uncomfortable topics — and how to express your thoughts and feelings — is a challenge.”

In this interactive workshop, Kent imparts useful communication tools to enable you to share your concerns so people will hear you.

This four-part process includes how to: ready yourself to have a productive conversation; explore the other person’s readiness and willingness to listen; plan your logistics and approach; and have the conversation using powerful and effective “I” statements.

Kent has helped people and institutions find solutions to sticky problems for more than 25 years. She teaches graduate classes in conflict system design and negotiation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a variety of conflict resolution skills classes statewide.

Pre-registration for the workshop is required and the suggested contribution is $20 (no one turned away for lack of funds).

To register for the Hilo workshop, contact Al-Qawi Majidah at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center at 935-7844, ext. 3, or majidah@hawaiimediation.org.

To register for the Kona workshop, contact Gina Tumasone at West Hawaii Mediation Center at 885-5525, ext. 3, or gtumasone@whmediation.org.