What is TIC and how does it work?
According to CMS, TIC is an “approach to delivering care that involves:
- Understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma;
- Recognizing the widespread impact and signs and symptoms of trauma in residents; and,
- Avoiding re-traumatization.”
Facilities must identify triggers that may re-traumatize residents who have a history of trauma. CMS defines a trigger as a “psychological stimulus that prompts recall of a previous traumatic event, even if the stimulus itself is not traumatic or frightening.” While triggers are unique to
each individual, some common ones include sights, sounds, smells, and touch. For instance, someone who is a survivor of a sexual assault may be triggered by the smell of certain aftershave or soap.
TIC really isn’t new, and approximately 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced a traumatic event. As Marguerite McLaughlin, director of education and transformation at Healthcentric Advisors, noted, “We have addressed this over the years, such as with residents who are holocaust survivors. However, while we were used to focusing on these kinds of dynamic and huge traumas, there’s been less attention on other trauma-related experiences people have gone through.”
Trauma survivors include:
Military veterans
Disaster or abuse survivors
Individuals with a history of homelessness or imprisionment
