Trauma Informed Care with Older Adults

Trauma Informed Care with Older Adults Research Method: Descriptive Presentation Type: Workshop

Abstract:

Professional social workers who work in and with community based organizations, faith based organizations, and in private mental health practices that serve older adults, who are 65 years old and older, may encounter individuals who are or have been living with historical and/or contemporary trauma(s), i.e., mental/emotional health responses that often result from living through (a) distressing event(s) and/or following exposure to one or more traumatic lifetime events.

For some older adults, this exposure to trauma(s) may result in sub-clinical post-traumatic stress or clinical post-traumatic stress disorder, as evidenced by, fear-based re-experiencing, emotional and behavioral symptoms, and/or dysphoric (sad) mood, negative cognitions, etc. For other individuals, avoidant, reactive and even dissociative symptoms may predominate. Finally, some older adults may exhibit combinations of these symptoms.

Understandably, these symptoms may impact the holistic health (i.e., spirit, soul and body) and wellness of these older adults.

It is important for social work clinicians and social work care managers to examine their best practices in the provision of social work services with older adults who living with trauma, and to positively impact social work practice, education, policy and research.

Consequently, this professional development/continuing education workshop will address the following specific learning objectives with the workshop participants:

1) to increase their knowledge base about the impacts of trauma in the older adult population

2) to assist in the recognition of the signs and symptoms of trauma in the older adult population

3) to share engagement and therapeutic strategies to help older adults who have been affected by trauma

4) to increase the understanding and the importance of having a trauma-informed theoretical framework, along with trauma-informed care, and having trauma-informed organizations to enhance the quality of care and the service provision with older adults

During this professional development/continuing education workshop, the presenter will first address the topics and learning objectives in a andragogic/adult learner presentation, will take audience/participants' questions and will then lead a group discussion.