The resident, identified only as #17 in inspection records, had endured childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse from her ex-husband. She also reported that medical conditions, including a brain aneurysm, had caused trauma throughout her life.
Despite this documented history, Continuing Healthcare of Gahanna failed to conduct proper trauma assessments or implement trauma-informed care services, federal inspectors found during an August complaint investigation.
The facility's initial social service assessment from her October 2024 admission stated the resident had "no Trauma Informed Care Triggers." That assessment remained unchanged for months, even as psychiatric evaluations revealed extensive trauma history.
A psychiatric note from January 28, 2025, documented that the resident "was physically abused by her ex-husband and had trust issues." The same evaluation noted she had developed "emotional and behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor" and that "being in the facility was hard on her."
The psychiatrist diagnosed her with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The treatment plan called for continuing psychotropic medications and engaging in therapeutic behavioral services to address her adjustment disorder symptoms.
Yet the facility's social services department never updated their trauma assessment.
When inspectors interviewed the resident on August 20, she explained her past sexual abuse trauma and why she preferred no male caregivers. A sign hung on the wall behind her bed indicating this preference, but the facility had no formal trauma care plan addressing her specific triggers or needs.
Licensed Social Worker #240 confirmed to inspectors that the resident had no trauma assessment reflecting her past trauma, no identification of triggers, and no trauma-specific care plan.
The resident's case manager, #245, told inspectors he was aware of the sexual abuse she had endured as a child. He said she had spoken to a former social worker about her preference for no male caregivers and explained the reasoning behind her request.
But that conversation never translated into proper documentation or care planning.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to provide trauma-informed care that recognizes and responds to the impact of traumatic stress on residents. Facilities must identify residents with trauma histories, assess their specific triggers, and develop care plans that avoid re-traumatization.
The failure affected one of three residents inspectors reviewed for trauma-informed care preferences at the 83-bed facility.
This wasn't the first time Continuing Healthcare of Gahanna had problems with trauma-informed care. The August deficiency represented a repeat violation from the facility's annual survey completed March 12, 2025.
The inspection was conducted in response to two separate complaints filed against the facility, numbered 2597120 and 2595339.
Trauma-informed care has become increasingly recognized as essential for nursing home residents, many of whom have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse earlier in their lives. Research shows that up to 90 percent of individuals receiving mental health services have experienced significant trauma.
For nursing home residents with trauma histories, routine care activities can trigger traumatic memories. Being touched by male staff members, for example, might cause severe distress for sexual abuse survivors. Having their clothes removed for bathing or medical procedures might re-traumatize residents who experienced physical abuse.
Proper trauma-informed care requires facilities to ask residents about their trauma histories, identify specific triggers, and modify care approaches accordingly. This might mean ensuring certain residents receive care only from female staff, explaining procedures before touching residents, or allowing residents to maintain some control over their care.
The resident at Continuing Healthcare of Gahanna had clearly communicated her needs. She had a sign posted requesting no male caregivers. She had discussed her trauma history with multiple staff members. She had been diagnosed with adjustment disorder related to the stress of being in the facility.
But the facility's systems failed to translate that information into proper trauma assessments and care planning.
The psychiatric evaluation from January revealed the depth of her struggles. She reported that being in the facility was hard on her, and she was experiencing emotional and behavioral symptoms. The psychiatrist recommended therapeutic behavioral services to help her cope with her adjustment disorder.
Yet the social services department continued to document that she had no trauma triggers requiring special attention.
The disconnect between what the resident reported and what the facility documented represents a fundamental failure in trauma-informed care. When nursing homes fail to properly assess and address trauma histories, they risk re-traumatizing vulnerable residents during routine care activities.
For this resident, the consequences extended beyond inadequate documentation. Without proper trauma assessments and care planning, staff might not understand why certain approaches to care could be harmful. They might not recognize signs of trauma responses or know how to provide appropriate support.
The facility's failure to conduct trauma assessments also meant they couldn't properly train staff on trauma-informed approaches specific to this resident's needs. While she had a sign requesting no male caregivers, staff needed to understand the trauma history behind that preference to provide truly trauma-informed care.
Federal inspectors classified the violation as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm. But for trauma survivors, inadequate trauma-informed care can have lasting psychological consequences, potentially worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
The resident's quarterly MDS assessment indicated she had no cognitive impairment and displayed no indicators of depression or behaviors. But her psychiatric evaluation told a different story, documenting her ongoing struggles with adjustment disorder and the emotional impact of being in the facility.
This case illustrates how nursing homes can fail trauma survivors even when residents clearly communicate their needs and preferences. The resident had done everything she could to advocate for herself, posting signs about her preferences and discussing her trauma history with staff.
The facility's response was to ignore that information in their formal assessments and care planning processes, leaving her without the trauma-informed care she needed and deserved.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Continuing Healthcare of Gahanna from 2025-08-25 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
- View all inspection reports for Continuing Healthcare of Gahanna
- Browse all OH nursing home inspections