1. Respect aging Section 2: PREVENTION Module 12: Self-care for violence prevention helpers Violence Prevention Initiative Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons

2. Respect aging Agenda Welcome Learning together: Self-care for violence-prevention helpers Small group activity Reporting back to whole group Wrap-up / Evaluation

3. Respect aging Why self-care?

4. Respect aging The body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. Stress

5. Respect aging A state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by extreme and prolonged stress. Burnout

6. Respect aging The negative changes that happen to helping professionals, volunteers and others over time that result from empathetic dealings with clients and victims and hearing or seeing their traumatic experiences. Vicarious trauma

7. Respect aging Vicarious trauma Happens when a helper "catches" the trauma of those being helped Repeated exposure to suffering Desire to help/change the situation Happens because you care

8. Respect aging Self-care Be aware of our own thoughts and behaviours Reflect on our beliefs, values and assumptions Share our vulnerability with people who support us

9. Respect aging Stress, burnout and vicarious trauma Everyone responds differently Warning signs: Physical/emotional/spiritual changes Changes in relationships Consider seeking help

10. Respect aging Recognizing stress, burnout and/or vicarious trauma You may experience changes in: 1. How you see yourself and the world 2. Your emotional beliefs and needs 3. Self-care and behaviour 4. Relationships 5. Beliefs about spirituality, meaning, purpose

11. Respect aging Changes in how you see yourself and the world Not a good or safe place Questioning effectiveness Feel little satisfaction Survivor guilt Preoccupied with troubling questions

12. Respect aging Changes in emotional needs Safety Trust Boundaries Making decisions Obsessive thoughts

13. Respect aging Psychological and physiological changes Sleep difficulties Not bathing or washing clothes Difficulty concentrating No sense of humour No appetite / eating too much Irritable, intolerant, moody Addictions, substance abuse

14. Respect aging Changes in relationships Disconnected Conflicts Less social contact No upsetting stories! Intimacy issues

15. Respect aging Changes in beliefs about spirituality, meaning, purpose Loss of meaning, purpose Loss of hope Despair No wonder, gratitude, joy Troubling questions

16. Respect aging ABCs of positive self-care A – Awareness B - Balance C - Connection

17. Respect aging Awareness Take time to self-reflect Journal-writing Therapy Talking to friend What else?

18. Respect aging Balance Balance awareness with action How much time do you spend working? playing? resting? Balance work with rest of life

19. Respect aging Connection Connecting with meaning Connect to others Connecting to that “something more” beyond ourselves: Nature Faith Poetry Humanity What else?

20. Respect aging Coping strategies for self-care Find your own path to renewal Revisit your path Your path will be unique Your plan will change

21. Respect aging Wellness Toolbox AwarenessBalanceConnection Physical Emotional Mental/ Intellectual Spiritual

22. Respect aging Wellness Toolbox AwarenessBalanceConnection Physical Avoid sugar; No caffeine In bed by 10:00 pm Salsa dance class Emotional Call daughter Mental/ Intellectual Crossword puzzle at lunch Attend book club at library Spiritual MeditationYoga