The baby boomer generation makes up a substantial portion of the world's population especially in developed nations and It represents nearly 28% of the American public.  By 2031, the number of adults age 65 and older is expected to double and with this increase will come problems that senior care facilities and senior living centers will need to deal with -- and one of them is the problem of bullying.

 

Those who are on the receiving end of another senior’s aggressive behaviors feel that bullying does not really describe what they have been exposed to and in some ways, the use of the word softens the impact of what is occurring.  They call it intimidation, manipulation, physical and verbal assault – plain and simple.  There is nothing schoolyard about such behaviors.  

 

Senior bullying behaviors include:

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• Criticizing or ridiculing another person who does not meet the individual’s accepted standards for clothing, social status, religion, sexual orientation, economic background, or virtually any other characteristic or status.

• Verbal or physical abuse of victims, which may include yelling, hitting, pushing, or kicking. Often, these actions go unreported in order to avoid additional problems.

• ​Stealing or destroying property, and/or lying about the victim in order to assert power or authority. If this occurred on the street, it would be the equivalent of gang intimidation.

• Saving seats or reserving spaces for clique members in dining rooms, restaurants, or during outings or other events.  Again, it may seem innocent, but the goal is to isolate another and intimidate them. 

 

In this presentation, we will identify bullying behaviors, discuss coping strategies, how to foster appropriate behaviors among senior residents and the importance of clear rules and policies to ensure a safe living environment for everyone.