• ​The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines individual trauma as “resulting from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”

• In 2014, SAMHSA released its Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach, a resource that many providers turn to in providing trauma-informed care. According to the guidance, a program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed:

—Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery;
—Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system;
—Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and
—Seeks to actively resist retraumatization.

• More resources and tips on providing trauma-informed care can be found at www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence.

• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) reports that symptoms of PTSD can increase with age. Various factors can contribute to this phenomenon, including role changes and functional losses, which makes coping with memories of earlier trauma more challenging.

• For more information on trauma and PTSD in older adults visit: www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/older/ptsd_symptoms_older_adults.asp. The VA also offers an online course for providers, titled, “Aging and PTSD,” available at www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/continuing_ed/aging-ptsd.asp.