Bullying Among Older Adults: How to Recognize and Address an Unseen Epidemic - Softcover

Bonifas PhD MSW, Robin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1938870093 ISBN 13: 9781938870095

Publisher: Health Professions Press, 2016

Synopsis

Unbeknownst to many, bullying is not an experience limited to childhood, but is an epidemic occurring far too often among older adults as well. Studies have revealed the alarmingly high rate at which older adults in senior programs and care settings are bullied by their peers, resulting in profoundly negative effects on the elders, the staff, and the community in which it is occurring. Bullying Among Older Adults is the first resource to address this critical issue, providing the knowledge and tools to recognize bullying and develop constructive ways to intervene and prevent it. As an expert on peer bullying among older adults, author Robin Bonifas draws upon a growing body of research as well as the voices and actual experiences of the targets and perpetrators of bullying. She exposes the nature of this phenomenon and then presents positive, proactive ways for community-based or long-term care staff to minimize and prevent it from happening. Filled with practical resources and examples, this book offers effective interventions, including empathy and civility training, empowerment strategies, bystander interventions, and more. Increase staff awareness and improve day-to-day interactions with: Detailed, step-by-step assessment strategies and antibullying interventions; Effective coping strategies to minimize negative consequences for those bullied; Pro-social activities to promote empathy and civility; Specialized approaches for residents with dementia or mental illness; Learning activities, case studies, sample forms, and policy guidelines (also available as downloadable PDFs). Bullying Among Older Adults is an invaluable resource in creating an atmosphere of caring and respect among both residents and staff.

About this title

About the Author

Robin P. Bonifas, Ph.D., M.S.W., is currently Assistant Professor at Arizona State University School of Social Work and received her masters and doctoral degrees in social work from the University of Washington. She was named the John A. Hartford Faculty Scholar in Geriatric Social Work in 2011. As a social gerontologist, she is focused on long-term care, elder abuse, and the resilience of older adults.

Review

“This much needed, clearly written resource is well researched and full of practical tools that can be used by a wide range of practitioners to recognize and stop the many interactions that comprise bullying. Anyone who works with older adults, or is planning to, should know what Dr. Bonifas and her contributors have gathered in this impressive volume and keep it handy as a practical reference in their day to day work.” (Erikson School and University of Maryland Baltimore County Reviews 2016-06-30)

“This book provides a foundation for understanding bullying behaviors among older adults. The book is particularly useful for staff members in nursing homes, assisted living centers, and senior centers who may be challenged by these behaviors. The book provides many case examples as well as tools for practitioners to use to intervene and stop the bullying behavior. Educators and researchers will also find this book useful because of the seriousness of the issue and also because there are so few other resources available. This book addresses an important gap in the literature. I strongly endorse this book.” (Aging Studies Program, University of Iowa Reviews 2016-06-30)

"[This book] is an important reference in how to combat bullying. Bonifas offers advice on empathy training and organizational interventions. The book is academic, but written in a way that you feel as if you're chatting with a friend."The full review for this book can be found at:http://www.mcknights.com/daily-editors-notes/how-to-handle-residents-that-bully-staff/article/515309/?DCMP=EMC-MCK_Daily&spMailingID=15162482&spUserID=Njc5MzE3NTM1NDcS1&spJobID=840762144&spReportId=ODQwNzYyMTQ0S0 (McKnight's Long-Term Care Reviews 2016-08-11)

Edition details

• Publisher: Health Professions Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1938870093
• ISBN 13: 9781938870095
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200