1. Community Partners Program
Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older People Who Have Experienced Trauma
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2. Workshop Facilitators
Insert facilitators’ names here
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3. 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
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4. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Agency Information
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5. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Agency Information
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6. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
What’s in a Name?
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Reflection Cards
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8. Traumatic Experiences
From an original painting ‘Resting’ by Adam Janali
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9. 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)
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10. 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
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11. Impact of Trauma - Mental Changes
Concentration problems and memorising difficulties
Disorientation
Intrusive memories
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. Listening to Audio Stories
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15. 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.
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16. 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
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17. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Trauma & Dementia
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18. 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.
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19. 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.
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20. 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.
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21. 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)
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22. 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.
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23. 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
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24. Copyright ASeTTS/ MACSWA 2008
Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older People Who Have Experienced Trauma
THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS?
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