What Seniors Can Do about Bullying?

Bullies are not always a teenager who abuses or hurts others in high school. There are more cases of bullying recorded among seniors which should be dealt with. Verbal abuse and physical aggression are a form of bullying which family caregivers should learn more about.


                    

The Rise of Senior Bullies

According to the American Psychological Association, a person is considered a bully if he or she is aggressive intentionally and causes intense harm or physical discomfort to another person. When it comes to bullying, seniors might get violent and take stern actions against anyone. In several senior communities, bullies can verbally abuse people or throw things when they are out of control. Some seniors might find it difficult to move into a nursing home and can feel powerless and dependent. In this way, seniors might end up bullying other residents so that they can feel independent and dominant.

When it comes to professional Lakewood Home Care families should hire a reliable care provider to make sure their senior loved one is in safe hands.

Senior bullying might vary in terms of gender. Senior women can be more likely to develop the group of mean girls and sideline others who are newly admitted into the nursing home. Seniors women can bully others by not allowing the new residents to interact with them during mealtime or spreading false rumors. Older men can threaten other residents such as yelling which is aggressive behavior and comes under the definition of bullying. Senior bullies wanted to own and control their place, the reason they yell and fight with other residents in a care center.

The Impact of Senior Bullying

Some seniors may start bullying because they feel left out or socially isolated and also affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. Social isolation can be ravaging for seniors, especially those who live alone or have lost a partner. Seniors who don’t attend family gatherings, social community events, or interact with others become severely depressed. Depression may enhance the risk of cognitive decline in seniors. Many older adults have behavioral changes and develop bad habits such as substance abuse, smoking, or eat in an unhealthy way. 

A recent survey shows up to 20 % of seniors experience bullying in the golden years if they are living in a nursing home. Bullying can greatly impact a senior’s self-esteem and make them depressed or anxious in certain situations. Seniors who are being bullied can be prone to many psychological and physical issues.

Battling Bullying among Seniors

Interventions can help many seniors who were a victim of bullying or verbal abuse. There are many effective workshops that can enable seniors to stand up again bullying or learn what to do under such circumstances. Seniors who are diagnosed with dementia or have an age-related disease may not be able to tackle the negative effects of bullying. Family caregivers should acknowledge it and help if their senior loved one is a victim of bullying. It is crucial to tackle the problem of bullying and educate seniors on how to complain about it. If seniors are bullying others, it is important they seek professional counseling to determine the cause of it.

In Lakewood, stroke care experts can help seniors tackle bullying and simultaneously promote their physical health and wellbeing in the golden years.