JAMS Fellows

Welcome JAMS Fellows!  The URL for your role assignments in the ODR exercise is:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sIH92gretEX7Jq7XrnS5NVsixyR9QcjCOG2VkMKujk8/edit?usp=sharing

Here is the case background:

Robbie Brighton, on the recommendation of his parents’ physician, contacted a mediator to help with a family problem. His father George, age 81, lives in a modest home in Petaluma. George and his wife Lilly lived in the house for 40 years until Lilly passed away one year ago. George and Lilly had two children:

• Robbie, 45, a lawyer living in San Francisco with spouse Bobbie and their two sons, ages 14 and 12; and
• Johnnie, 48, single, unemployed for the past three years with no children, and living with George for the past two years.

George was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago. Until the past year he was functioning fairly well, thanks to medication and Lilly’s constant attention and care. Since Lilly passed away the disease has accelerated. Six weeks ago, while Johnnie was out of the house, George wandered off. A motorist, noticing George was lost and disoriented, called the police, who brought him home to Johnnie about two hours later. In recent months, George also has experienced intense outbursts of anger, suffers from short-term memory loss, feels extreme agitation in the early evening, and frequently paces and makes efforts to leave the house.

• Robbie feels strongly that George should be moved to an Alzheimer’s facility about 5 miles from their home for George’s safety. He does not think Johnnie is an appropriate caregiver and has been encouraging him to leave and live independently, rather than with George.
• Johnnie wants to remain in the house with George and to care for him. He shudders at the thought that he would put his father into a nursing home.
• George at times of lucidity, usually in the morning, expresses regret that he is so much trouble to Johnnie, but also is terrified of moving.

The parents’ physician advised the family that for George’s safety the present situation is no longer appropriate, but has left the decision in the hands of the family without stating an opinion about what should happen and has suggested mediation.

The parents own their home, now valued at $700,000, and have $100,000 in CDs. They receive teachers’ retirement of $6,000 per month. They do not have long-term care insurance. Their health insurance will not pay for an Alzheimer’s facility at this time. The family will need to figure out how they will pay for George’s care if he is admitted to the Alzheimer’s facility.