Chapter 1 Trauma and Aging

Abstract

Traumatic events, which may occur at any time during the life cycle, cut across all boundaries of age, race, nationality, culture, gender and class. Many older adults have endured trauma, but have been differentially affected by their experiences. This paper defines stress, trauma and post-traumatic stress reactions; explores issues of trauma and aging; enumerates elderly populations at risk; and considers ways in which social workers can incorporate a trauma framework into their practice with older adults.

Key Words:

• Trauma
• post-traumatic stress
• older adults
• aging
• social work