Applying a trauma-informed approach to home visits

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Trauma and traumatic stress significantly impact health and mental health outcomes.
• Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a person-centered approach recognizing the widespread impact of trauma.
• Individuals with a history of trauma face higher risks of re-traumatization and adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide specific recommendations for applying trauma-informed care during home visits.
• To guide home-based primary care groups and health systems in implementing universal TIC for homebound older adults.
• To address the unique needs of homebound older adults, a population potentially at high risk for prior trauma.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on trauma-informed care principles and applications.
• Analysis of the specific challenges and sensitivities in providing care to homebound older adults.
• Development of practical recommendations for home-based care settings.

Main Results:

• Existing TIC approaches have been successfully applied in various healthcare settings.
• There is a lack of specific recommendations for applying TIC to homebound older adults.
• Home visits present unique opportunities and challenges for implementing trauma-informed care.

Conclusions:

• Homebound older adults may be particularly vulnerable to trauma and re-traumatization.
• Implementing universal trauma-informed care in home-based settings is crucial for patient safety and well-being.
• Specific, actionable recommendations are needed to guide healthcare providers in delivering trauma-informed care to this population.