What does social bullying look like among older adults? Not so different than among adolescents, with the exception of cyber bullying. Most common are gossiping and spreading rumors about another elder, making critical comments within the victim's hearing, or comments such as, "You can't sit here. I'm saving the seat for a friend." This type of behavior occurs in senior centers, in senior living communities, and wherever groups of seniors gather.

Since Marsha Frankel, LICSW, and Clinical Director of Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Boston Senior Services and the Director of Mental Health last blogged about this topic more than two years ago, JFCS has been busy seeking effective interventions to make a difference in the lives of older adults.

Marsha Frankel

Last spring's incident of a 68-year-old bus monitor in upstate New York being bullied by 7th graders was posted on YouTube. It led to even more interest in the topic and questions about why the bus monitor did not speak up and why no one else intervened. JFCS has been developing approaches to help staff and older adults speak up when social bullying occurs. They have presented to senior groups including the Essex County Triad and Newton JCC Seniors and received very positive responses. Read more here.

Jewish Family Service of Colorado's Senior Solutions department has helped many people age forward over the years through consultation services by helping families, couples, and
individuals create a proactive game plan to ease the stress of aging and the unknown territory that comes with it. The focus has been on helping people maintain as much independence as possible while maintaining control over situations that occur as we age. In other words, if you want to take steps to be better prepared for the future, you can work with a geriatric consultant at JFS.

Jennie L. Creasey, LCSW, Professional Senior Services Coordinator

JFS is formalizing geriatric services with the launch of JFS AgeForward 
Consulting Services. For a fixed fee, master's-level
geriatric specialists will create an individualized assessment of a client's situation and provide
a plan of action and referrals, as appropriate. A working relationship with a consultants can be brief, as needed, or can become a long-term relationship, as many consultants are
also geriatric care managers. Continue reading here.

Jewish Family & Children's Service of Phoenix is sponsoring, "How to Communicate with Your Teen So They Will Listen - At Least a Little," an upcoming seminar presented by clinical psychologist Dr. Larry Waldman. JFCS is one of the largest providers of behavioral health and social services in Arizona. Click here for more information.

Jewish Family Service Agency of  Las Vegas offers a Meals in Motion program. This program is designed to provide individuals with meals that are delivered directly to their home. Whether the client is a senior in the community, an individual that has recently been discharged from the hospital or anyone who wants the convenience of an easy to heat meal, this program is designed for them.

Meals are delivered within 24 hours of placing an order and payment processing.

From now until December 1st, Meals in Motion is offering buy one get one free meals.