Kirsten Madsen Tackles Senior Bullying
People of all ages can be bullied. Sheridan Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences member Dr. Kirsten Madsen is working with the Centre for Elder Research, Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO) and the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf to better understand senior to senior bullying in Ontario and support the development of best practices and strategies for this diverse population.
The current NSERC funded project follows the first SSHRC funded project titled Senior Bullying: What is Happening in Ontario? Where during 2018 to 2022 the Seniors Anti-Bullying project was able to survey 683 older adults across Ontario to find out the prevalence and nature of peer-to-peer bullying between older adults. Once the survey results were analyzed, four interactive workshops (i.e., Think Tanks) were held across Ontario. Here survey results were shared, and feedback was gained from industry partners.
These four sessions garnered invaluable information. Using the survey results, feedback from the four Think Tanks, and existing best practices, the first Senior to Senior Anti-Bullying Toolkit was created. The toolkit was published on SOURCE in March of 2020 and later with the support of EAPO, was translated into the French language. Both versions are available on Source and the EAPO website.
The final aim of the NSERC funded implementation and evaluation part of the projects is to use the results and feedback from stakeholders at seven implementation sites to modify and enhance the Toolkit. This modification includes creating American Sign Language Video clips to support the use of the Toolkit.
Throughout this project sustainability is key. As such, not only do we train and hire Sheridan students to work on this project, but a Train the Trainer model is being employed and we are successfully using information gained throughout the project to enhance the SSW Gerontology program at Sheridan College. By utilizing the Train the Trainer module and having a staff member at each site participate in each training session, the work is able to continue at each residence once the funded project is completed. In addition, utilizing students and incorporating this work into curriculum supports the longevity of the aim to target bullying behaviour between older adults.
Currently we have completed our training sessions at two sites and will continue our work until December 2025. As stated, at the end of the project we will be updating the Senior to Senior Anti-Bullying Toolkit, and along with EAPO and the Bob Rumball Centre of Canadian Excellence for the Deaf, will provide these resources free of charge to any interested stakeholders. For all updates to the project visit: https://source.sheridancollege.ca/centres_elder_bullying_older_adults/
