Assisted Living

2018 AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention

AL-4 - Preventing and Responding to Bullying Between Older Adults

Speaker(s)

• 

  Tim Johnston, PhD

  Director of National Projects
  SAGE | Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders

Strong social bonds are an important aspect of successful aging, but group dynamics often involve conflict and tension, and staff at assisted living communities may be called upon to respond to instances of bullying or aggression between residents. How can we manage the bullying, aggression, and hurt that often arise when people share spaces? We will examine how to identify bullying behavior, strategies for preventing bullying, successful interventions when bullying is taking place, and ways to support staff in creating a welcoming atmosphere. We’ll pay special attention to preventing bullying where the aggression is based on a person’s minority status, such as bullying that targets people of specific ethnic and/or racial identities, genders, disabilities, sexual orientations, or religions. Exercises will also address how to intervene in conflicts when one or more parties involved are also struggling with mental illness or dementia. The session will conclude with an overview of existing training programs and resources that can support staff in creating a space where everyone feels welcome, as well as organizational policies and programs that have proven effective in preventing bullying or other aggressive and hurtful behavior.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between physical or social bullying and other forms of unpleasant behaviors such as rudeness, aggression, or emotional outbursts
• Discuss three different techniques for responding to bullying
• Identify at least three different organizational best practices and programs to prevent bullying in the assisted living setting