Module 2: Direct Comprehensive Primary Care in the LTC Setting
11 2.1.4 Trauma-Informed Principles
Key Principles to Trauma Informed Care
- Transparency & Trustworthiness: Include transparency, consistency, fairness & respect to build trust
- Safety: Physical settings & interpersonal interactions
- Gender, Cultural, Historical Issues: Move beyond cultural stereotypes & biases
- Mutuality & Collaboration: Partnering to avoid power imbalances
- Peer Support: Support with lived experience of trauma and non-judgemental
- Empowerment: Build upon strengths and experiences[1][2]
Trauma Informed Approach (TIA) in LTC
- TIA in LTC can be complicated by medical conditions that cause memory impairment & cognitive decline
- For individuals with dementia & trauma, the disease impacts their ability to protect against traumatic memories and may result in behavioural expressions or behaviours
- Using a trauma-informed approach to avoid re-traumatization
- Create a safe environment with an understanding that residents may have variable responses/behaviors to the same stimuli
- Residents will benefit from a TIA where they can feel safe, heard, supported, & empowered to heal from trauma
- Trauma Screening and Assessment for all residents
- Assess trauma history, how they experienced the event, and the impact/effect of their trauma
- Admission to LTC is sometimes inevitable & risks re- traumatizing residents
- Risk of re-traumatizing for those who have experienced trauma in other initialized settings (i.e. hospitals & schools)
Consider how we can reduce or manage the traumatization associated with LTC admissions.[3]