Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Factsheets
1 minute read

Trauma, loss and grief in older people: What do I need to know?

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

This resource provides an overview of trauma, loss and grief in older people, particularly in aged care settings. It outlines how these experiences may affect individuals and highlights considerations for those providing care and support.

The factsheet supports trauma informed approaches, helping workers and carers recognise signs of distress and respond in ways that promote safety, dignity and wellbeing.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • support understanding of trauma, grief and loss in older people
  • employ safe and appropriate support practices
  • support volunteer and client wellbeing in care settings
  • strengthen risk aware and trauma informed approaches.

How to apply this resource

This resource is useful when supporting volunteers in aged care environments, developing trauma informed practices, or strengthening wellbeing and safety approaches in volunteer programs.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

National centre providing research, training and resources to support recovery from trauma and post-traumatic stress.

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Resources

Foundations of Volunteer Management: Work Legally and Ethically

This unit explores Australia’s legal system and ethical frameworks, equipping you to apply laws, manage ethical dilemmas, and uphold integrity at work. Aligned with CHCLEG001, it builds practical skills for legal compliance and ethical decision-making.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Information

Finding the perfect volunteering role

A guide to help people consider their interests, skills and circumstances when choosing a volunteering role.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
VIKTOR
Tech

VIKTOR

VIKTOR is a volunteer recruitment system designed to run a referral service for volunteers. It allows you to create and advertise volunteer roles, enter volunteers and match them to roles offered by your members.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
scheduled

Starting a Not-for-profit Organisation - July 2026

This webinar introduces the legal basics of starting a not‑for‑profit organisation. Learn about legal structures, incorporation, registration, charity status and key steps to establish and operate a compliant organisation.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
Free
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering in Emergencies

This webinar explores cultural sensitivity and awareness, including unconscious bias and its impact. Learn how to recognise and manage bias, build inclusive practices and improve communication when working with diverse communities.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Protecting Mental Health: Psychosocial Hazards in Not-for-profits - June 2026

Learn your not‑for‑profit’s legal duties to manage psychosocial hazards. This webinar explains WHS obligations, how to identify risks like stress and trauma, and practical steps to protect the mental health and safety of staff and volunteers.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
A$49.00