Understanding Historical and Contemporary Trauma in African American Communities: Navigating Supports so Elders Thrive

During the pandemic and civil unrest, older adults may be particularly vulnerable to re-traumatization as they re-experience a previous traumatic event, either consciously or unconsciously, as the result of a current racially bias event. This trauma may be the result of triggering historical knowledge of systemic racism and/or the cumulative toll of daily microaggressions and lived experiences of discrimination in one’s community.

These projects are affiliated with, and/or sponsored by, the Minnesota Northstar GWEP. Please see the resources of these outstanding partners and projects:

The University of Minnesota Geriatric Case Competition is a unique opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students from multiple disciplines and schools at the University of Minnesota to come together as a team to develop a comprehensive, interprofessional plan of care for an older adult. The Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition is being sponsored by the Minnesota Northstar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP).

Since Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia are especially challenging when caring for older adults, the Minnesota Northstar GWEP has several programs targeting these complex conditions. Through education “roadshows,” conferences, community speaking engagements, and radio spots, we are reaching out to people in all corners of our state with dementia information and support. Programs include: