Key Principles
Trauma is a topic that is gaining attention in popular culture, media, policy, and practice. Learning about trauma can help us support ourselves and the people around us to better cope with tough experiences.
Trauma results from real and perceived life-threatening experiences across the lifespan and can present in ways related to physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.
From Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to disaster-related trauma, complicated grief, or experiences of racism, nursing home residents bring their life stories - trauma histories and resilience and coping skills - with them. Very often, particularly when people lack positive, strong social support, the transition into a nursing home can be traumatic itself, with an accompanying sense of loss of normalcy, loss of identity, and loss of safety or privacy, all of which could be triggering or re-traumatizing.
Intersection of Dementia and Trauma
Residents with dementia may have unique needs when it comes to addressing their trauma histories. For example, a resident with dementia and ACEs or PTSD as part of their history may have difficulty communicating their distress or may exhibit behaviors that are challenging to understand. Staff should be trained to recognize these signs and provide care that accommodates the cognitive and emotional needs of residents. Creating a consistent, predictable environment and using gentle, reassuring communication can help mitigate anxiety and prevent re-traumatization.
Not to be confused with trauma treatment or trauma therapy, trauma-informed care is a way of providing services to support a strengths-based journey for anyone, especially people who have experienced great adversity or distress in their lives. One way to think of trauma-informed care is in the same way we think about infection prevention and control (IPC) - as a universal approach that is the responsibility of every community member. Just as each person in a nursing home contributes to good IPC so, too, does each person benefit from IPC. And, the benefits of IPC go far beyond the building and grounds of a nursing facility. These benefits extend to friends, family, volunteers, and partners of our communities, too.
In these ways, trauma-informed care is much the same as IPC. When all community members are aware, trained, and practicing the principles of trauma-informed care, everyone benefits.
This short video offers a general introduction to trauma and trauma-informed care for all types of healthcare organizations.
Whether we’re thinking about nursing home residents, residents’ family members, or nursing home staff, trauma-informed care is a way to support people who have gone through adverse life events. Trauma-informed care also aims to prevent traumatic experiences from reoccurring. For example, we can pay attention to signs that someone might be struggling and be careful not to make the situation worse. We can also create nursing home environments that are supportive, inclusive, safe, and soothing for residents, staff, and everyone part of the community.
6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Approaches
Safety
Physical and psychological safety are prioritized within the organization: for staff and people who are served. Understanding how people perceive safety is key.
Trustworthiness & Transparency
In its operations and decisions, organizational business is conducted with transparency. A goal exists to build trust among all who interact with the organization.
Peer Support
People's stories and lived experiences are valued as key to building safety, establishing trust, and growth after healing. Mutual self-help and peer support are valued as vehicles for recovery and growth.
Collaboration & Mutuality
Everyone has a role to play in a trauma-informed approach. Power differences between staff and people being served and within staff are leveled in favor of shared decision-making.
Empowerment, Voice, & Choice
Individuals' strengths and experiences are recognized throughout the organization. The culture fosters a belief in resilience and in the ability to promote recovery from trauma.
Cultural, Historical & Gender Issues
Moves past cultural biases; leverages cultural connections for healing; gender responsive services; policies and protocols respond to racial, ethnic and cultural needs of people served; recognizes and addresses historical trauma.
