An Article from the NY Times

This is a great article about dignity for the elderly. (click on the title of this article). As caregivers, we often fall into this mode of "caring" that is very much like the care we give our children. We don't mean to demean by using terms of endearment (or "elderspeak" as the article terms it) but according to this article, maybe more elders are upset by it that we think.
The article does mention that professional caregivers are often not taught how to address elders they care for. This is actually not the case. Nursing home employees across the country are taught to address an elder by the surname unless the elder specifies otherwise. Some like to be addressed by their first name, some by their surname, and some by a nickname. Whether each employee follows that rule is another matter. And elders, trying to be polite, will often not complain.
At any rate, I felt this was a good article to share so we can all be enlightened in yet another way to help our Elders have Pleasant Days.