Standing Up for What’s Right: Bystander Intervention in Senior Living

On October 2nd, Arrow Senior Living joins the global recognition of International Day of Nonviolence, commemorating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and his peaceful, revolutionary form of resistance to oppression. This day raises awareness of nonviolence, peace, and tolerance — values that guide us every day in the work we do. In honor of this day, Arrow Senior Living’s focus turns to Bystander Intervention.

At Arrow, we believe caring means acting, and we have developed our own “Four I’s of Bystander Intervention” to empower team members to stand up when something doesn’t feel right:

Interrupt – Create a diversion, interrupting the aggressor and pulling attention away from the situation.

Intervene – Stand up for the target, addressing the aggressor and their behavior directly.

Initiate – Initiate a third party for assistance. Enlist the help of a manager or other community team members to address an active incident/conflict.

Intel – When possible, document what you’ve witnessed and provide intel to the appropriate community team members. Intel includes any useful information about the situation.

To keep these practices top of mind, staff receive ongoing training through monthly “See something, say something” videos. These reminders encourage comfort with being an upstander, not a bystander.

Together, the more we know and the more we act, the stronger and safer our communities become.