WEEK 3

Question 1

1) Why does Kate Swaffer say our language is powerful?

Answer 1

the words we use can greatly influence how we perceive and treat people with dementia. She believes that the language we choose can either empower individuals with dementia or contribute to their marginalization. Swaffer encourages using respectful and inclusive language that recognizes the personhood and capabilities of those with dementia, promoting a more positive and supportive environment for them. Essentially, she underscores the idea that the way we talk about and address people with dementia can significantly impact their well-being and quality of life.

Question 2

2) What is labelling language?

Answer 2

occurs when we reduce a person to one single (often negatively perceived) attribute about themselves, such as a diagnosis.

Question 3

3) Why is normalizing behaviours problematic?

Answer 3

we are probably going to miss an important (often urgert) piece of medical information.

Question 4

4) Why is the term “non-compliant” problematic?

Answer 4

it implies that the health or social care worker has all the power and makes all the decisions. It suggests that if patients or clients don’t follow these decisions, they are somehow not cooperating or following orders.

Question 5

5) How does language use impact staff well-being?

Answer 5

1. Workers who use words that are not person-centered are negatively judged and perceived by their patients/clients.
2. Provides less objective information to colleagues
3. Poorer workplace satisfaction

Question 6

6) What are four things that I can do to use person-centered language?

Answer 6

Use person-first language
Stay Objective
Hold Your patient, client, or people to the Highest Respect
Frequently Check-In with Yourself

Question 7

The definition of infantilization

Answer 7

A behavioural pattern in which a person of authority interacts with, responds to, or treats an elderly person in a child-like manner

Question 8

The definition of Elderspeak

Answer 8

Also referred to as Baby Talk, Secondary Baby Talk, or Displaced Baby Talk

Question 9

Elderspeak includes:

Answer 9

Exaggerated intonation
Higher pitched voice
Child-like vocabulary
Speaking slowly and loudly
Use of a sing-song voice
Using overly familiar and/or inappropriately intimate pet names, such as “honey”, “dear”, or “good girl”
Replaces pronouns with collective forms (“we” instead of “you”)
Uses leading statements (“we’re reading for our bath, aren’t we?”)
Publicly discloses private information (“looks like we need to use the potty!”)
Uses age-inappropriate recreational activities

Question 10

Impact of Elderspeak on older adults and care providers

Answer 10

May appear nurturing, but often removes choice/control from the relationship (a nice way of bossing people around)
May lower self-esteem among older adults*
May lead to dissatisfaction in communication, causing social withdrawal
May lead to sarcastic remarks or verbal attacks on care partners

even though it might seem like we’re being caring, we can unintentionally take away a person’s ability to make choices or control their own decisions. This can happen in relationships, especially with older adults.

This approach can make older adults feel less confident about themselves, and it might even make them withdraw from social interactions because they’re not happy with how they’re being treated.

Additionally, this kind of caregiving could lead to sarcastic comments or even verbal attacks from the person receiving care. So, while we might think we’re being nurturing, it’s important to make sure we’re not unintentionally bossing people around or making them feel disrespected.

Question 11

Personality characteristic- seeking protection, sympathy, love, advice, and reassurance from others; feeling insecure or helpless without others

Answer 11

Succorance