Module 2: Direct Comprehensive Primary Care in the LTC Setting
10 2.1.3 Trauma-Informed Care
- Most LTC residents will have experienced traumatic events in their lives
- In the United States, 55-90% of adults report experiencing at least one traumatic event
- Trauma results from an event or series of events, or a set of circumstances an individual experiences as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening
- Trauma events may have lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning, mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being
- Traumatic events can be experienced by an individual, a generation, or an entire community or culture
Sources of trauma for LTC residents can include:
- War
- Sexual abuse
- Starvation
- Restraints
- Seclusion
- Medical experimentation
- Childhood abuse
- Racism
- Homophobia
- Sexism
- Homelessness
- Hate crimes
- Natural disasters
- Violence[1][2][3]
Older people may experience traumas related to:
- The aging process itself
- The loss of loved ones, of their own capacities (physical and mental)
- Loss of roles and identity and of their home, and
- Increased dependence on caregivers
Individual side effects of trauma can include:
- Depression, anxiety, PTSD
- Substance use disorders,
- Avoiding people/places/situations
- Decreased concentration, impaired short team memory
- Insomnia, flashbacks
- Trust issues with others & the health system
Trauma Informed Care (TIC):
- Recognizes the potential for long term side effects following a traumatic event & that most people do experience trauma in their lifetimes
- Recognizes the signs & symptoms of trauma for residents
- Understands that recovery is possible
- Responds by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
- Seeks to actively avoid re-traumatization
Avoid thinking what is wrong with this person to what happened to this person.[4]