Workforce Wellness
To provide quality care for residents and assure well-being and job satisfaction for staff, it's important that the people who work in nursing homes are healthy, safe, and happy. This section summarizes how trauma-informed care can benefit staff.
Trauma is also a concern for people who care for nursing home residents. Every day, nursing home employees are exposed to loss and suffering, as well as love and laughter on the job. In a 2023 survey of nursing facility staff from across the U.S. conducted by VCU Gerontology, 100% of respondents reported that residents have disclosed a traumatic event to them in the past. This speaks to the presence of trauma among residents and the exposure to resident suffering among staff. CNAs, for example, report feelings of grief, loss, and suffering when residents suffer or pass away (Amateau et al., 2022). Furthermore, CNAs say they do not know how to manage the emotional toll that exposure to grief and suffering takes day-to-day (Amateau et al., 2022).
Support Systems and Resources for Staff
Employees need strong support systems and resources in order to do their jobs well. When employees feel mistreated at work due to “incivility, aggression, and bullying” (Yang et al., 2014), this can lead to negative impacts related to intent to leave, job satisfaction, and job performance. Trauma-informed changes to organizational culture have been shown to decrease staff burnout while increasing staff commitment to the organization (Hales et al., 2008; Keesler, 2016). These changes might include:
- Peer Support Groups
Establish regular peer support meetings where staff can share experiences and coping strategies. - Professional Counseling
Provide access to professional counseling services to help staff manage the emotional toll of their work. - Training and Education
Offering training on trauma-informed care and personal wellness practices to equip staff with the tools they need to cope with stress and trauma.
Intersection of Dementia and Trauma
When supporting residents with dementia who have trauma histories, staff may face unique challenges. Training should include specific strategies for recognizing and responding to signs of trauma in residents with dementia, ensuring that staff are equipped to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care. For example, staff can learn to identify non-verbal cues of distress and use consistent, calming routines to support residents with dementia.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) in Trauma-Informed Support for Staff
Additionally, employees may be living with trauma histories of their own and need workplace support of their wellbeing. Research shows that a significant percentage of healthcare workers, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs) (Kusmaul & Waldrop, 2015), have experienced at least one adverse life event. Integrating DEIB principles into support systems is crucial for creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. This might include:
- Cultural Competency Training
Provide training on cultural competency to ensure that support systems are sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of staff. - Inclusive Policies
Develop workplace policies that promote inclusivity and respect for all employees, regardless of their background or trauma history. - Tailored Support
Offer tailored support programs that consider the unique needs of staff from different cultural backgrounds.
By implementing these trauma-informed, DEIB-integrated strategies, nursing homes can create a supportive and resilient workforce capable of providing high-quality, compassionate care to residents.