Ageing Australia
1.5 hours
This workshop equips aged care professionals with essential knowledge and practical strategies to recognize and respond to trauma in older adults. Ideal for residential and home care staff, it combines evidence-based approaches with real-world applications to deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed care.
This workshop is ideal for staff across a range of levels delivering aged care services in both residential and home care settings. No specific prerequisites are required, though participants should have a basic understanding of aged care service delivery. Participants must access training on individual devices. Trigger warning: This workshop includes discussion of topics related to trauma, including examples of people in distress that may evoke emotional responses.
The workshop covers: exploration of the human condition and the genesis of trauma; the unique impact of trauma on the aging mind and body; the relationship between traumatic events, grief, and its effects on older people; recognition of signs and symptoms of trauma across physical, emotional, and behavioral domains; seven targeted strategies specifically designed to aid older individuals affected by trauma; navigation of triggers for re-experienced trauma, undisclosed life events, and specific trauma experienced by veterans, migrants, asylum seekers, and First Nations people; self-protection strategies and management of client self-disclosure; and essential documentation skills to record trauma experiences to guide care delivery and report incidents.
Ageing Australia is Australia's peak body for aged care providers and a trusted leader in aged care professional development. The workshop is facilitated by Tanya Dave, a Gerontologist with over 25 years of experience in aged and community care, holding a Masters in Gerontology and serving as Director of IAgewell. The program aligns with strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and is subsidized by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care for CHSP providers.
Upon completion, participants will be equipped to deliver trauma-informed care in aged care settings, recognize and respond appropriately to trauma presentations in older adults, support clients with complex trauma histories including veterans and First Nations people, and implement evidence-based strategies to create safer, more healing-informed care environments. This professional development enhances career prospects in residential aged care, home and community care, and CHSP provider organizations.