“Bullying isn’t limited to the playground. Assisted living communities care for millions of seniors with diverse backgrounds and unique needs and behaviors. Bullying and its adverse effects have received greater focus in recent years, creating a need to have systems and processes in place to prevent bullying among seniors living in long-term care.” Thank you NCAL for updating the “Bullying Among Seniors: A Prevention and Surveillance Guide – Updated Resource!” 

We have all had uncomfortable conversations with our children, grandchildren, and friends about bullying. It hurts my heart to hear stories of young people being bullied but it also hurts to hear about seniors experiencing it as well. A loved one living in a senior housing community said to me “I don’t give them anything to talk about,” and, “I feel their looks on my back as I walk by.” Yes, she is 90 years old and feels like other residents are talking about her which is a form of bullying. Why does this happen and what can we do about it?  

If you haven’t accessed NCALs great resource, you should! This resource guides you through: 

• Defining bullying, 
• How to identify bullying,  
• Why bullying might occur,  
• Victim risk factors,  
• How to create a positive environment and,  
• How to respond to incidents of bullying.  

Remember, resident to resident altercations are real, bullying is real, and there is a high risk that someone will get seriously hurt. Please don’t dismiss any complaints of bullying; investigate, have a discussion, and keep residents separated if able. Remember, this is their home, they should feel comfortable and cared for. Use this resource to assist in developing your plan, training your staff, and addressing bullying if it occurs in your center. Stay well and stay informed!