Using a high-pitched voice, a nursing home worker might say something like this to a resident: “OK honey, it’s time for our bath.”

That would be considered elderspeak or baby talk, and it’s a no-no.

People who have no problems with their cognitive skills would perceive that as being talked down to or demeaning.

Now, Kansas University research has found that residents with Alzheimer’s disease feel the same way. They are twice as likely to be uncooperative when spoken to in such a manner compared with having a normal adult-to-adult conversation.

“People should be aware that communication is really important to all of us, but especially older adults. Elderspeak is common not only in health care settings but throughout the community,” said Lawrence resident Kristine Williams, an associate professor in the School of Nursing and part of the research team.

Researchers defined elderspeak as overly caring, controlling and infantilizing communication. Common features include simplified vocabulary, substitution of collective pronouns and overly intimate endearments.

She said a more appropriate way to have addressed bath time would have been: “Good morning, Ms. Jones, I am here to help you get ready for your bath.” This removes the inappropriate name and pronoun.

“They (nursing home workers) really believe that it is showing that they care. They just aren’t aware how negative it can be,” Williams said.

She will give a presentation about her findings today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Chicago. The research will be published this fall in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias.

There are 50,000 Kansans and 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s.