Trauma Informed Care and Nursing Homes

Summary Gigi Amato, an assistant professor for the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology, discusses the importance of trauma-informed care for older adults. She explains that trauma-informed care recognizes the chronic and ongoing experiences of adversity that can disrupt an older adult's health and quality of life. Gigi emphasizes the need for agencies serving older adults to adopt trauma-informed approaches that prioritize safety, agency, and independence. She also introduces the concept of healing-centered engagement, which focuses on culture, agency, social connection, and meaning and purpose. Gigi highlights the importance of human connection and building authentic relationships in providing care for older adults. Takeaways Trauma-informed care recognizes the chronic and ongoing experiences of adversity that can disrupt an older adult's health and quality of life. Agencies serving older adults should adopt trauma-informed approaches that prioritize safety, agency, and independence. Healing-centered engagement focuses on culture, agency, social connection, and meaning and purpose. Human connection and building authentic relationships are essential in providing care for older adults.