The first step is to identify residents who have or continue to experience trauma. Before or upon admission, consider speaking with residents or their families and examining their life histories. The facility can actively provide care, resources, and referrals by asking if they have experienced an event that would impact their care needs.
Resident-driven decision-making considers each resident's trauma and possible triggers and ensures the care plan and interventions are patient-centered. For example, a resident may have been involved in a near-drowning incident and, as a result, is traumatized in water during a bath or even a shower. An appropriate intervention is offered to assist the resident in washing at the sink or performing a bed bath.
Make sure the facility environment is trauma-informed. It is necessary to train ALL staff to be sensitive and aware and recognize how to support residents who may respond to situations differently due to past trauma. This may include visitors, volunteers, and vendors.
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