Trauma-informed care and elder abuse: a synergistic alliance

Abstract

Elder abuse is a global systemic problem in which one or more traumatic or stressful life experiences directly affect older adults, their families, and communities. Despite its devastating impact, the understanding of-and response to-elder abuse has rarely been explored through a trauma-informed lens. Despite the prevalence of traumatic and stressful life experiences, research and practice are just beginning to target the intersection of elder abuse and life course trauma. This article demonstrates how knowledge about the causes, consequences, and responses to elder abuse can be integrated with the principles of trauma-informed care to improve agency and community responses to preventing or intervening with elder abuse and neglect. In order to address the ongoing problems with detection and treatment of elder abuse, we assert that instilling trauma and elder abuse informed care in organizational services and policies forms a synergistic alliance and would address many of these concerns.

Disclosure among victims of elder abuse in healthcare settings: a missing piece in the overall effort toward detection

“…Indeed, healthcare settings can unintentionally contribute to distress and/or retraumatization, which could hinder disclosure (Ghandour, Campbell, and Lloyd, 2015). A trauma-informed care (TIC) orientation provides insight into ways that EA victimization disclosure can be facilitated/supported at an institutional level (Ernst & Maschi, 2018). The TIC aim is to reduce re-traumatization and support recovery, which often begins with the process of disclosure (Elliot, Bjelajac, Fallot, Markoff, & Reed, 2005).…”

“…Victims can be involved in the design, evaluation, and delivery of services to help integrate sensitive practices. All institutional personnel, including service providers, administrators, and board members should receive training about EA and the impact of victimization on an older adult's health (Elliot et al, 2005;Ernst & Maschi, 2018). Training is essential among physicians who commonly describe a reluctance of asking about abuse victimization for fear of opening "Pandora's box" (Sugg & Inui, 1992).…”

Future Directions in Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Interventions Across the Lifespan

“…However, trauma treatment for abuse of older adult victims has not been well developed yet. Practitioners and researchers are beginning to develop and assess trauma-focused interventions and care (Ernst and Maschi 2018). As this moves forward, it has required challenging an ageist bias in the field of DV.…”

“…Financial exploitation is receiving considerable attention, yet the impact on victims of this type of crime is not adequately understood. The link between financial exploitation and trauma has been discussed but requires further development (Ernst and Maschi 2018). In general, financial abuse lacks compelling theories or conceptual models, and financial exploitation measures to advance research are often lacking or inadequate.…”

Moving the Field Forward: Elucidating the Nexus Between Elder Abuse and Trauma

“…Recent work by Ernst and Maschi (2018) as well as Ramsey-Klawsnik and Miller (2017) offer a powerful illustration of how a clearer understanding of the traumatic stress in elder abuse can inform the design of responses. Ernst and Maschi identified and eloquently applied six trauma principles to organizations to improve responses to elder abuse.…”