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.