Archive for Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Baby-talking the elderly is condescending, not caring
July 29, 2008
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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.
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29 July 2008
at 7:53 a.m.
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trinity (Anonymous) says…
cool; i know my mom just despised it when a nurse or nurse's aid in the nursing home she lived would baby or down talk her!!! heh-she'd just act like she didn't hear them, which in turn made them treat her like she was mental-which she absolutely was not. i miss my mama.
29 July 2008
at 8:07 a.m.
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pace (Anonymous) says…
I caught workers playing with my Dad's hair, he had great hair and they had parted it in the middle and said they just loved his hair that it would do anything. I hated them, seeing Dad like that broke my heart. I miss him too. He loved dumb long jokes. High pitched voices are usually harder to hear and understand than low pitches.
29 July 2008
at 9:44 a.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
People also talk to some disabled people in baby talk.When someone is unable to communicate back, people tend to assume they have the mind of a toddler, when in fact they may be very intelligent. My mom continued to talk to my son in baby talk. I protested around age 4, but she wouldn't break the habit. She still did this until he died as a teen.I asked him once, if it drove him nuts that grandma talked to him like a baby. He grinned ear to ear and laughed in acknowledgement.I then asked, but you don't mind because you're just happy to have her talk to you?He again grinned and said, yeah, with a giggle.Even a small disabled child can recognize the innocence shortcomings of well meaning adults..it's sort of a disability in itself, being unaware.Much like those who shout at blind people.
29 July 2008
at 10:13 a.m.
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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…
Most people throw away their older relatives in a nursing home and forget about them or rarely visit them. Then, they expect the poorly paid CNA's to do all the jobs of a family. CNA's are underpaid, overworked, and rarely can afford health insurance. They can't be everyone's savior.
29 July 2008
at 10:28 a.m.
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jonas (Anonymous) says…
See, I've always talked to the elderly, not like I would babies, but I like I would foreigners when I'm traveling. I wave my arms in exaggerated gestures, and I talk really loudly and Really s l o w l y.
29 July 2008
at 10:40 a.m.
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SusieCreamcheeze (Anonymous) says…
Confrontation and Jonas…Can't wait till your family puts you up at the local rest home ….think of all the fun the poorly paid CNA's will have with you two…LMAO “Clockwork Orange ” comes to mind.
29 July 2008
at 10:46 a.m.
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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…
SusieCreamcheeze Now that's a handle!
29 July 2008
at 10:52 a.m.
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SusieCreamcheeze (Anonymous) says…
Thanks
29 July 2008
at 11:04 a.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
I heard this story on Kansas Public Radio yesterday morning… the audio version can be found here:http://www.kansaspublicradio.org/newsstory.php?itemID=9601Researchers have found this adage to be true at the other end of the spectrum, as well: By using complete sentences and normal tones of voice when addressing infants and toddlers (rather than “baby talk”), you end up with more intelligent kids down the road.Agnostickagnostick@excite.comhttp://www.independentvoting.orghttp://marciaford.blogspot.com
29 July 2008
at 11:14 a.m.
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dipweed (Anonymous) says…
Yes, SusieCreamcheeze from the old Frank Zappa and Mothers of Invention days right? I love it!
29 July 2008
at 11:18 a.m.
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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…
So, Susie's a “dumper.” Dumps off mom to live her life with strangers and expects everyone else to take care of her. Great to have you join us.
29 July 2008
at 11:28 a.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
The only ones appropriate for baby talk are babies..infants. I cannot stand it when my daughter does that insane gibberish to her kid..who is three. I don't understand why people think they have to speak to others as though they were idiots.
29 July 2008
at 11:30 a.m.
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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
Cats don't care for that kind of talk.
29 July 2008
at 12:14 p.m.
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SusieCreamcheeze (Anonymous) says…
My Mothers caretaker is Black has green eyes and answers to “Honey”…..
29 July 2008
at 12:22 p.m.
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trinity (Anonymous) says…
i take it then, confrontation, that you've not ever in your life been faced with a decision about what to do with an elderly or otherwise incapable of caring for themselves loved one? good luck to ya, is all i can say. watch your attitude about calling people “dumpers”; i “dumped” my mom in a nursing home last summer. it was and still is an absolutely wonderful facility with caring, patient, and great staff from top to bottom. i should know-i live across the street from it and had the absolute blessing of going over every day at 5 on the dot to visit ma&hang out with her awhile. the more i think about your post the sorrier i feel for you. it really must suck to be a judgemental hateful being such as yourself.
29 July 2008
at 12:35 p.m.
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classclown (Anonymous) says…
I don't even talk to babies that way. I talk to them as I talk to everyone else. All babies seem to like me. My wife says they're attracted to my voice. Maybe that's why I can get away with talking to them normally.
29 July 2008
at 2:55 p.m.
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jonas (Anonymous) says…
suziecreamcheeze: When I'm in a nursing home, I'll beat the CNA's to the punch and talk to them like that first, so we can just do it together. Bonding time.
29 July 2008
at 4:10 p.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
How about the lemurs?
29 July 2008
at 10:24 p.m.
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Gina (Gina Bailey-Carbaugh) says…
Fortunately for most of you, there won't be nursing homes by the time you hit old age. The Boomers are going to revolutionize long term care. There are already programs out there for community living in actual home-like buildings. Kansas also is part of a five year grant called Money Follows the Person. It targets residents in nursing homes who want to return to their home/community, have lived in the nursing home greater than six months, and qualify for Medicaid. More money is going to home-based services than ever. Soon, nursing homes will be history. For the time being, the most has to be made of the system of elder care that we have. Volunteers are greatly needed. Staff, nurses and CNAs, are in high demand. Consider a career in geriatric care. If you have a relative in a nursing home, take the time to visit them. Remember to thank the staff for their care.