Principles of trauma-informed care evident in person centered care for persons living with dementia in low resource settings

OBJECTIVES: This study identified how long-term care stakeholders describe trauma-informed care (TIC) practices in low resource settings. METHOD: This was a secondary data analysis about person-centered care (PCC) for persons living with dementia (PLWD). The parent study purposively recruited administrators, direct care staff, PLWD, and care partners in two nursing homes and two assisted living communities in urban and rural federally designated medically underserved areas. In depth semi-structured interviews were conducted about PCC; the parent study did not include TIC-specific probes. Responses were analyzed using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s TIC principles: Safety; Trustworthiness and Transparency; Peer Support; Collaboration and Mutuality; Empowerment, Voice, and Choice; and Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues. RESULTS: Participants identified the importance of knowing residents' trauma histories and identified care congruent with SAMHSA's six TIC principles. DISCUSSION: Federal regulations require TIC in nursing homes; not in assisted living. TIC is aligned with person-centered care. Transparency was less evident than other principles, being only reported on the individual level. Research should explore how to foster these concepts in low-resource long-term care.