Ageism in Healthcare is a Growing Concern

How we decide to speak to seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's greatly impacts their quality of life. Infantilizing communication is sadly a too-common communication style used by family members, strangers, and even health care specialists. Elderspeak is a term that refers to the infantilizing communication used to speak to older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's disease or another kind of dementia. Elderspeak is a form of ageism and is a cause for concern in healthcare.

Elderspeak elicits a tone of incompetence towards a memory care patient. Baby talk, simplistic grammar and vocabulary, slowed speech, and elevated pitch and volume are some examples of elderspeak. While referring to a patient with dementia as a “good girl” for completing a meal may feel empathetic and encouraging, this sort of treatment actually reduces the agency of the person. This language derives from stereotypical views of older adults as less competent than younger adults and projects negative stereotypes on elders.

Ageism greatly impacts dementia care and can even reverse progress. Elderspeak can make dementia patients resistant to care. Research from the NIH documents that elderspeak is perceived as patronizing by seniors struggling with memory loss and can precipitate communication breakdown as well as exacerbate problem behaviors for cognitively impaired elders.

The independence of seniors should be of utmost importance in senior living and memory care. MorningStar of Beaverton is proud of its responsive and compassionate care team, which is the very heart of MorningStar's care philosophy. They recognize that as a memory care facility, success is hiring the right team of people who are committed to the goal of serving with love, kindness, honesty, and humility.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Beaverton proudly brings the finest assisted living Beaverton, Oregon has to offer. They provide carefree retirement years and create a true home for residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community. While MorningStar may be new to Beaverton, their team is highly experienced in serving seniors, and understanding how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other assisted living communities simply cannot match.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Beaverton, Oregon. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Oregon.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Beaverton, Oregon.