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I did a search of the forum and came up with only one article but it has got to be more prevalent than that. The article by Anne-Marie Botek gave examples of calling out elders pet names like sweetie or honey but it is so much more than that, I'm going to cite some examples from an excellent article at verywell health (https://www.verywellhealth.com/elderspeak-and-older-adults-97972)


"Elderspeak involved speaking slowly, using a high-pitched voice, using terms of endearment such as "honey" or "sweetheart," and speaking to the adult as if he was an infant or young child."


"Oh Honey Bun, you want to go to bed, don't you?"


"Sweetie, you're just so cute!"


"Is our tummy hungry for some foodie?"


The article also identifies key problems with elderspeak


"*It's Irritating, Degrading, and Patronizing


*It Contributes to Depersonalization


*It Implies Power


*It Conveys the Presumed Incompetence of the Elder


*It Increases Challenging Behaviors"


It seems to be the common practice at the nursing home, goes hand in hand with the cheerful and stupid attitude when asked a question, and the friendlier aides are the most culpable. Anyone else?

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I think my post got lost during the change over, or maybe nobody else is bothered by this?

There are a few aides at mom's nursing home whose every word sets my teeth on edge, they've gotten so used to talking in a sing song patronizing tone they even do it to me when I try to converse with them.
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We were taught in my CNA class never to call Residents nicknames
such as honey, sweetheart etc. I have to say the staff at my mom’s NH speak normally to their residents no baby talk. I don’t like it when people call me hun..
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swillie, I wonder if the Staff talks elderspeak to only those who are deep down with dementia? That would make sense if the elder is now back into their youth stage. Maybe the Staff felt that worked best for them.

But I can understand how annoying that can sound. It's like people who baby-talk to their pets.
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Every time this topic comes up people talk about nicknames, but that isn't the thing that bothers me it's the tone of voice and the patronizing attitude.

two ladies are always huddled together - "Aw, aren't they cute"

during meals - "come on, try another bite for me" and "Oh, you ate up all your dinner, good girl!"

when someone is obviously in a bad mood "I think someone needs to have a nap!"

And I very much expect the nurses who bring medication to tell people, "I have your medicine" instead of "here's a bite of pudding/applesauce" unless there is a known problem with compliance.

And then there is the way aides will sail by someone who is repeatedly making a reasonable request as though they can't see or hear them at all.
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FF, when I was reading online about elderspeak I was surprised to discover that a study shows that talking that way to those with dementia actually increases behavioural problems - they may be lost and confused but nobody wants to be treated like a child.
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cwillie, that is good to know. I would have thought it was the opposite.
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"Oh, Mr. Independent!"
Said in the E.R. as incompetent nurse removing IV, pulling his hairs out.
She was hurting him, she is not only lucky He was not someone that pinches or hits, but very lucky I don't either as I was standing behind her. Lol.

And, I am so "old fashioned", I want them to address the patient respectfully, fifty years your senior, it is Mr. Patient to you!
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I have always hated hearing condescending personnel talk down to older patients. It’s disrespectful and contemptuous. Also, clerks, receptionists and even family members do this too.

Even though my mom has dementia, don’t think she can be talked down to! She’s also mercilessly astute to those who need correction. Me too.
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OK, this has made me rethink my behavior, as a therapist in a Neuro ICU, and I thank you for that. I have some patients that I see for a week or more.. and some I only see once or twice. In my defense, I often can not figure out how to pronounce the names of my patients , as they come from all over the world. So I often address my elders as "young man or lady". I have often been told I have "made their day".. but perhaps not.. I work in a city known for calling everyone "Hon", and I do avoid that! I try not to be rude, but I do like to address everyone by some means. I do understand this thread is about long term residents at facilitys. but thank you for reminding me!
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I don't know if this falls under Elderspeak, but a CNA called my grandmother "mom" several times once, I suppose it was an attempt to be endearing, and it confused the heck out of my grandmother, it made her agitated when her "daughter" left the room, and ticked me off! Don't say that to someone who suffers from dementia, duh!
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There are a couple of aides who call some of the women mom or grandma, I'm pretty sure they're not related but it is a small town so you never know...

One of the women who does this is very friendly and well liked and she doesn't talk down to the residents, but I think calling someone who isn't sure who their real family is mom or grandma would only add even more confusion.
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there was a couple at my moms AL (he passed away tho)
but all the people there (workers) called them, Mother and Father.

since they all called them that, im assuming the family asked for it to be that way.

and the husband and wife, called each other mother and father.

I had trouble posting here
the box to post *inside* didn't enlarge when I started typing.
and I had to go OUT and come back in to the thread 4 times.
it wanted to make just one long line. wouldn't let me 'enter' to skip a line
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What I observed with my grandmother is that one CNA was calling her "mom." My grandma became very agitated when CNA left the room... VERY agitated. For the next couple of hours, grandma was upset about where she had went to, because that was her daughter and she needed to know where she was.

Like with many things in life, use common sense. If the elders appreciate the baby talk and pet names, there's no harm in using them, and may make them feel comforted.

If they or their family feel it's demeaning, or it increases confusion, then communicate in a way that is direct and professional.
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I am so happy to see articles about "elderspeak". I sometimes experience this way of speaking because I use a motorized wheelchair, but through the years it has been happening less. I am 63 now, and do see this at facilities for seniors. I visited an AL facility for my mother-in-law and was with my husband. Many times they assumed I was the one who was shopping for an AL, and that is understandable. One director, however, spoke to me like I was a toddler [I have a Masters Degree]. It was very insulting and condescending, and I realized that she probably spoke this way to the residents. I wrote to the corporate office about this experience, and suggested agencies that could come to these facilities and speak about how insulting this can be, etc. They had the director send me a letter of apology, so hopefully i got through to one person!
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And don’t use the term diaper. Visiting an acquaintance An aid came in and said “I see it’s time for a diaper change” to my friends roommate. This was demeaning to the lady. Our elders are not babies and the term diaper im[lies otherwise.
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I don't like pet names nor would I like someone calling my mother "mom". It would confuse her.

I took my mother to the hospital a few years ago, and her nurse kept calling her sweety. I told the nurse you will address her as Mrs. Blank or by her first name. Than I thanked the nurse! I wasn't mean, but I sure was firm!

Call me old fashion, but my dad taught me that you address people with respect.
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Yes, it's awful! My mother (who passed in May) was a very smart woman who loathed being talked about in the third person and treated like an infant. She was bedridden and incontinent after a stroke and her short-term memory was shot, but she was fully aware otherwise and desperate to maintain some dignity. I often scolded nurses who came to see her for acting like she wasn't there when they talked to me or said things to her like "Hi, Beautiful," or "it's time to change your diaper because you're wet." They would also shout at her, even though her hearing was perfect. UGH.

My favorite moment was when one of the nurses referred to her being incontinent in front of her. My mom said "I'm incontinent by choice!" So heartbreaking and clearly about her wanting to "own" her situation instead of having to listen to others talk about her like she was an idiot. I also had to tell the hospice people not to say the word "hospice" in front of her, because that totally freaked her out.

Another thing that infuriated me was when one of her aides refused to let her get back into bed until she cleaned her plate. She was tired and had very little appetite. I realize the aide thought she was doing the right thing, but it upset me so much to see my mother treated like this.

Same with my uncle. At 95, he was in an SNF and the aides would say "Hi, Handsome." So yucky. It always made me cringe. I suppose it's hard to know what to say, but the infantilizing is awful.

There needs to be some education/sensitivity training about this. People mean well, but it's so humiliating for our loved ones, who are already dealing with losing control of their lives and bodily functions. Thanks for bringing this up, cwillie.
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I don't think you can go wrong addressing a person as "ma'am" or "sir."

Also, I hate being addressed as "young lady." I know I'm old, and I feel as if the speaker is making fun of me.
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