Community Partners Program Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older People Who Have Experienced Trauma Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Workshop Facilitators Insert facilitators’ names here Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Workshop Outline Overview of ……and ……..services Working with CALD clients Definitions of trauma and PTSD Case study Strategies in the workplace Evaluation Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Agency Information Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Agency Information Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 What’s in a Name? Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Reflection Cards Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Traumatic Experiences From an original painting ‘Resting’ by Adam Janali Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Traumatic Events A traumatic event is one in which The person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity to self or others. The person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness or horror. Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM – IV) Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Subsequent to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event a person may develop ongoing characteristic symptoms described in the DSM – IV as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. The development of this disorder may depend on variables such as Emotional and/or psychological resilience Pre trauma experiences Severity and extent of the traumatic experiences Level of support before, during and following those experiences Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Impact of Trauma - Mental Changes Concentration problems and memorising difficulties Disorientation Intrusive memories Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Impact of Trauma – Affective Changes Fear, guilt, anger, loss, grief Anxiety, phobias, panic attacks-fear of complete disintegration Depression-paralysed helplessness, diminished power & control, unresolved grief and loss Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Impact of Trauma – Behavioural Changes Sleeping and eating disorders Irritability, impulsiveness, aggression Withdrawal, avoidance Relationship difficulties, cross-generational difficulties Suicidal ideations Domestic violence Psychosomatic complaints Impairment in functioning in practical matters Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Listening to Audio Stories Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Triggers Triggers are different for each person and can be thoughts, images, sounds and smells, tastes, stressful situations and many more. Many stimuli can only be identified as triggers, once details of the person’s personal history are known. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Potential Triggers Can be a normal, everyday event that relates to past trauma. Being placed in an aged care facility can be a reminder of loss of home, family and community. Injections, visits to the doctor Knocks on the door Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Trauma & Dementia Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Dementia & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Similarities - Mental Function A Client may: Be very forgetful of recent events - memory for distant past generally seems better although some details may be confused. Become lost if away from familiar surroundings or be unable to find their way around. Be forgetful about practical tasks, eg: forget saucepan on stove. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Dementia & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Similarities - Personality & Behavioural Changes A Client may: Behave inappropriately or oddly. Be aggressive, perhaps without apparent cause. Be neglectful of hygiene or eating. Be disturbed at night. Be restless and anxious Become angry, upset or distressed through frustration. Similarities - Physical Mobility problems. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Differences - Mental Function Dementia & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Differences - Mental Function A client may: PTSD Be confused about time and place, rarely confuse day and night. Forget names. Rarely forget or confuse names of family members. Experience flashbacks. Dementia Be confused about time and place and day and night. Forget names of friends, family or confuse family members. See or hear things that are not there. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Differences - Mental Function (cont’d) Dementia & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Differences - Mental Function (cont’d) A client may: Dementia Become very repetitive. Fail to recognise everyday objects. Have difficulties with comprehension. Their speech may make little sense. PTSD Not normally associated with PTSD. Not a symptom of PTSD - may be factor of culture. Have occasional difficulties with comprehension. Their speech may make little sense (cultural/language) Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Differences – personality and behavioural A client may: Dementia & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Differences – personality and behavioural A client may: Dementia Wander around streets, becoming completely lost, sometimes at night. Need help or supervision with feeding, washing, toileting, dressing. Take clothes off inappropriately. PTSD Wander around streets, may become lost, rarely at night. Not a symptom of PTSD. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Differences - Physical Dementia & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Differences - Physical A client may: Dementia Be incontinent of urine and/or faeces. PTSD Not a symptom of PTSD. Adapted from: Stages of Dementia by Alzheimer’s Australia, WA Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008 Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older People Who Have Experienced Trauma THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008