Caring for Survivors of Genocide or Mass Trauma Project

The Lincoln Centre for Research on Ageing in the Australian Institute for Primary Care (AIPC) at La Trobe University, in conjunction with Jewish Care Vic., has launched the ‘Caring for Older Survivors of Genocide or Mass Trauma’ project.

The research team is gathering Information from aged care managers, direct care staff, older survivors and family members in community and residential aged care settings. The study focuses on two communities— Jewish Holocaust survivors and aged survivors of the Cambodian genocide.

Preliminary research findings suggest that it is important to understand both the historical events that occurred and the uniqueness of each survivor’s experience in order to care for them as compassionately as possible. As one aged care worker explains:

“You’ve got to be very open to hearing more than they (the survivors) say. Sometimes they’ll tell you a lot but they’re not telling you significant stuff like the care they actually need or that they are not managing at home because the ones who were sick during the Holocaust were sent to die.”

The two-year project, which is headed by Ms Karen Teshuva of AIPC, has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committees of La Trobe University. The research team will use project findings to develop and trial a specialised training program for aged care organisations. This will potentially contribute to improved service delivery, enhance quality of life, and ensure dignity and comfort for older survivors of genocide and mass trauma from a range of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Ultimately, the lessons from this research will contribute to the aged care sector becoming more responsive to the needs of emerging refugee communities in Victoria in the future. The Australian Government estimates that 70% of people entering Australia under humanitarian programs in the last two decades have previously experienced torture and trauma. In light of this alarming statistic, this project has come not a moment too soon.

Jewish Care – The Best of Care

This document (including all attachments) is confidential and may contain privileged and/or personal information. This document may also contain copyright material of Jewish Care (Victoria) Inc. or third parties. It is intended solely for the named recipient. Any personal information in this document must be handled in accordance with the privacy Act 1988. Any confidentiality or privilege is not waived because this document has been sent to you by mistake. If you are not the intended recipient please notify us immediately, delete it from your system and destroy any copies. Thank you for your cooperation.