Treating Grandparents as Grandchildren: An Overview of Elderspeak and the Perception of Elderspeak in Dutch Nursing Homes

Elderspeak is a form of secondary babytalk that is often used by caregivers to communicate with older adults. Elderspeak frequently involves a slow rate of speaking, simplified syntax, vocabulary restrictions, and exaggerated prosody (Kemper, 2003). The language is often perceived as offensive, because it is based on a stereotype of the mental health of elderly (Draper, 2005). This research sets out to describe what previous research has found so far on the characteristics and consequences of elderspeak. There has been done little research on the occurrence of elderspeak in the Netherlands and how it is perceived by residents and nurses of Dutch nursing homes. By conducting interviews with five residents and five nurses, this research shows that elderspeak is indeed an occurring phenomenon in the Netherlands, but moreover, it also shows that elderspeak is mostly perceived as a positive speech-style. Elderspeak in the Netherlands is predominantly used to show affection or to comfort...Show moreElderspeak is a form of secondary babytalk that is often used by caregivers to communicate with older adults. Elderspeak frequently involves a slow rate of speaking, simplified syntax, vocabulary restrictions, and exaggerated prosody (Kemper, 2003). The language is often perceived as offensive, because it is based on a stereotype of the mental health of elderly (Draper, 2005). This research sets out to describe what previous research has found so far on the characteristics and consequences of elderspeak. There has been done little research on the occurrence of elderspeak in the Netherlands and how it is perceived by residents and nurses of Dutch nursing homes. By conducting interviews with five residents and five nurses, this research shows that elderspeak is indeed an occurring phenomenon in the Netherlands, but moreover, it also shows that elderspeak is mostly perceived as a positive speech-style. Elderspeak in the Netherlands is predominantly used to show affection or to comfort the residents. The Dutch nurses use a personalised speech-style to each of the residents and therefore the negative consequences of elderspeak are disengaged. The use of elderspeak of the Dutch nurses can perhaps be used as an example of how elderspeak can also function a positive, beneficiary speech-style. This research was performed as a small case-study in which only ten participants from one city were interviewed. Extensive research with more participants across the country would provide more insights on the findings of this research.Show less

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Treating Grandparents as Grandchildren: An Overview of Elderspeak and the Perception of Elderspeak in Dutch Nursing Homes