(no subject)

[rm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/us/07aging.html

Fascinating article on the harm of addressing seniors with elder-speak.

But what really struck me? The toll of words like "sweetie" and "dear" that the article notes are also used for children in a way that can also be disrespectful and isolating. What the article doesn't note: is that these words are used in the same way on women of all ages, and yes, it makes us angry and uncooperative too.

Comments

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

To study the effects of elderspeak on people with mild to moderate dementia, Dr. Williams and a team of researchers videotaped interactions in a nursing home between 20 residents and staff members. They found that when nurses used phrases like “good girl” or “How are we feeling?” patients were more aggressive and less cooperative or receptive to care. If addressed as infants, some showed their irritation by grimacing, screaming or refusing to do what staff members asked of them.

I think this is true, based on my interactions with my dad, but at the same time--well, in a case like that, the doctors SHOULD be talking to the children--maybe not in front of the patient, but my dad, who seems fairly functional in most conversations, can't remember what he did yesterday, much less his medical history. And even when he was lucid, he didn't pay a whole lot of attention to his physical state because he lives in brainland--he had wives to talk to doctors for him.

I think a LOT depends on context and tone.