Nationally recognised thought leader, speaker and facilitator in the complex world of ageing
Guiding families in conflict resolution, crisis prevention, and aged care planning
With over 40 years of experience as an expert in elder law and as an AMDRAS Accredited Mediator, Brian has worked with hundreds of families to resolve conflict, avoid crisis, and make compassionate, informed decisions about the care and future of their ageing parents.
His journey into this field began over two decades ago, during a visit to a nursing home where he encountered a fractured family of five daughters, a vulnerable mother, and a tangled web of aged care language and legal complexity. That moment revealed a deeper calling – supporting families through the change, challenge and often conflict that ageing brings.
Since then, Brian has become a leading voice in what he calls “family change management” – helping families navigate the often-unspoken issues that emerge as parents age.
ELDER MEDIATION AND FACILITATION
How Brian can work with your family today
Brian works exclusively as a mediator and facilitator, guiding families through structured conversations that lead to clarity, connection, and shared decisions. His work is grounded in decades of legal expertise but focused entirely on people – not paperwork. He also continues to speak and write for national senior associations and media outlets, sharing stories, strategies, and insights from the frontline of Australia’s ageing challenge.
Elder Facilitation
Collaborative planning before a crisis arises. Brian brings families together to explore important future decisions – calmly, compassionately, and clearly.
Elder Mediation
When conflict has already taken root, Brian offers structured support to resolve disputes and reconnect around what matters most.
“I’ve spent my career helping families make the best decisions for, and with, their ageing parents.”
BRIAN HERD
SPEAKER AND PRESENTER
Book Brian for your next event
Brian is a sought-after presenter who delivers engaging, insightful talks for community groups, professional organisations, and aged care networks across Australia. Drawing on decades of experience in elder law and family dynamics, Brian brings warmth, clarity, and practical advice to every session.
Popular presentations include:
- Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap
- New Twists on Family Planning
- Crisis Management in Later Life
- Later Life Accommodation Options
AWARD WINNING AUTHOR
Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap
Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap is a must-read for every family facing the reality of ageing parents.
Brian’s deep understanding of family dynamics and ageing issues led him to write Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap – a practical reflection of the real-world challenges he has helped families navigate for decades. Brian’s work combines legal expertise with compassion, offering families a clear, structured approach to making informed decisions, avoiding conflict, and ensuring ageing loved ones are cared for with dignity and respect.
“This insight-inducing book delves into recesses of our future lives that many of us should recognise in order to avoid … Pitfalls and perilous progressions are artfully described in an entertaining yet very serious guidebook on life as the adult child parenting parents. Avoid reading this at your peril or approach this aspect of your future armed with the great wisdom Brian Herd offers to educate you. Your choice, now or later.”
DR ANTHONY FRENCH, FRACP, GERIATRICIAN
“A no-holds-barred, frank call to action for both parents and children to confront the well-trodden but often unpredictable course of our life’s journey – particularly towards the end, or as Brian would say, ‘our celestial transfer’.”
FORMER AGE DISCRIMINATION COMMISSIONER KAY PATTERSON
“When I read Brian’s wise words, I felt like Alice in Wonderland gazing in amazement at the litany of rabbit holes and traps for young (and old) travellers in the strange and complicated world of ageing and aged care. I now appreciate the plethora of potential pitfalls that my family and friends face and will encourage them to act now!”
DR GREG TIMBRELL, HIGHER EDUCATION ADVISORY
ELDER MEDIATION AND FACILITATION
How can I help your family?
Whether you’re facing a family crisis or want to plan ahead with confidence, Brian can help guide the way forward.
Contact Brian via the details below.