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When quarantine restrictions were lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people across the nation were eager to get back out into the world and socialize with others in their communities.
One of them was an older woman from San Juan Bautista who traveled from her home to a Senior Center in Hollister to attend a luncheon. She did not go to these types of events often, but after such a long time stuck at home she needed company.
Once she arrived, she went to take a spot at one of the many tables at the center. However, before she could sit down, another older adult at the luncheon informed her that all the seats at the table were being saved.
She moved to a different area. Yet the same older adult told her that all the seats in that area were also taken. She moved to another area and, for a third time, was told the same thing by the same peer.
Despite the numerous empty seats, she felt completely excluded from the luncheon. She promptly left the senior center and never returned. Her experience left her feeling completely unwanted.
This story comes from Mary Edge, president and chairwoman at the Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center. Her friend’s experience moved her and inspired her to open the Senior Center in San Juan Bautista. However, Edge’s friend is not the only older adult to experience bullying from peers. It is a silent issue that many seniors have experienced.
Many people have experienced bullying throughout their lives. When one thinks of bullying, chances are images of school hallways and playground spats. But it turns out it’s much more widespread than that.
Bullying can and does follow individuals into their adult lives. While bullying among seniors is not more common than bullying among adolescents, the National Center for Assisted Living notes that seniors experience the highest amount of bullying among adults.
While bullying often takes the form of verbal mockery or community exclusion, Geoffery Lyons, an ombudsman for Senior Network Services, said that these situations can escalate into outright abuse.
“Bullying among seniors would fall under the expected abuse category,” Lyons said.
He said Senior Network Services communicates with residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure responsiveness to residents’ needs and rights.
Lyons said he specifically receives calls regarding different types of bullying among seniors within the San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.
“If we get a complaint or a phone call, we would go out and interview the victim, and ask if they want us to do anything on their behalf,” he said.
Senior Network Services is not law enforcement, and does not make any judgment calls on the legality of certain situations.
“We are not the police, but we would confirm that the police would go out if the resident wants them to.” Lyons said.
Rather, Senior Network Services focuses on advocacy and support for seniors.
“We need their consent to advocate,” he said. “We teach members to advocate for themselves.”
“All residents have a right to a peaceful, homelike environment in those facilities,” he said.
In addition to Senior Network Services, nonprofit organizations like Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center also help combat bullying among seniors by creating a space that encourages friendly community interactions.
“We welcome everyone with love and respect. We are more than happy to have people come to our senior center.” Edge said.
Edge said that their senior center offers healthy hot lunches every Wednesday at noon, followed by a game of Bingo. They have a no-seat-saving policy in honor of Edge’s friend.
“We need to be loving and welcoming to one another,” Edge said.
To learn more, visit the websites for Senior Network Services and Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center.
The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour and Taylor Farms.
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