Many behaviors we see in residents are misinterpreted as dementia, “difficult personalities,” or simple aging. In reality, they can be unrecognized responses to lifelong trauma. Recognizing these signs is the first step to truly compassionate care.
Sudden withdrawal from activities
Heightened startle reflex (easily frightened by noise/touch)
Resistance to bathing or personal care
Agitation during routine changes
Emotional outbursts that appear “out of context”
Generational Trauma Insights
Each generation of residents carries silent stories of survival. Recognizing their historical trauma helps us move from frustration to empathy.
Depression-Era Men
What they lived through: Poverty, food shortages, wartime enlistment
How it shaped them: Frugality, survival mindset, work-as-worth identity
Possible behaviors: Hoarding, mistrust of waste, frustration if idle
Silent Generation Women
What they lived through: Domestic silence, limited autonomy, dismissal by medical systems
How it shaped them: Shame, quiet compliance, fear of speaking up
Possible behaviors: Reluctance to report pain, difficulty asserting preferences
Vietnam Veterans
What they lived through: Combat trauma, PTSD, Agent Orange, hostile homecoming
How it shaped them: Survivor’s guilt, hypervigilance, mistrust of institutions
Possible behaviors: Nightmares, withdrawal, defensive reactions
Civil Rights Era Adults
What they lived through: Segregation, systemic racism, violence
How it shaped them: Fierce pride, resilience, deep wounds around safety
Possible behaviors: Distrust of staff, anger at inequity, strong need for dignity
Early LGBTQ+ Residents
What they lived through: Criminalization, secrecy, family rejection
How it shaped them: Fear of disclosure, grief from loss of community
Possible behaviors: Avoidance of intimacy, fear of shared spaces, isolation
Immigrant & Refugee Elders
What they lived through: War displacement, unsafe migration, cultural loss
How it shaped them: Distrust of authority, strong ties to rituals
Possible behaviors: Emotional ties to food, frustration with language barriers
Institutionalized / Orphanage Survivors
What they lived through: Punitive systems, identity suppression
How it shaped them: Attachment struggles, fear of abandonment
Possible behaviors: Clinging to staff, difficulty trusting promises
Survivors of Abuse & Neglect
What they lived through: Abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence
How it shaped them: Trust and boundary injuries, hyper-arousal
Possible behaviors: Overreaction to touch/tone, avoidance, shutdowns
Why This Matters
When we miss these histories, we risk retraumatizing residents or overlooking their true needs. Trauma-Informed Care gives activity professionals the lens to:
Shift from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
Adapt activities and care plans to support emotional safety
Build trust and meaningful connection with every resident
