The silent impact of ageist communication in long term care facilities: Elders' perspectives on quality of life and coping strategies

Abstract Communication is an essential component of any caregiving relationship. This is especially the case for institutionalized elders who need to maintain strong and empowering social bonds with caregivers. Previous studies have shown that communication can be a powerful transmitter of age-based...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging studies 2012-08, Vol.26 (3), p.335-342
Main Authors: Lagacé, Martine, Tanguay, Annick, Lavallée, Marie-Lyse, Laplante, Joelle, Robichaud, Sarah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjustment
Ageism
Ageist communication
Caregivers
Communication
Coping
Coping strategies
Elderly
Internal Medicine
Interpersonal communication
Long term care
Nursing homes
Older people
Quality of Life
Quebec
Self Esteem
Stereotypes
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Summary:Abstract Communication is an essential component of any caregiving relationship. This is especially the case for institutionalized elders who need to maintain strong and empowering social bonds with caregivers. Previous studies have shown that communication can be a powerful transmitter of age-based stereotypes and as such, can lead to psychological disengagement and lowered self-esteem. In light of these results supporting the postulates of Communication Accommodation Theory, the main goal of the current study is to gain a better understanding of the role and impact of communication in the context of a caregiving relationship. Precisely, this study explored the extent to which institutionalized elders perceive daily communication with caregivers as being ageist, as well as the impact of such perceptions on quality of life in the facility and coping strategies used by elders. To do so, a total of 33 in depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with elders living in long-term care facilities in the province of Quebec. Results of qualitative and quantitative data analyses suggest that communication with caregivers is indeed perceived as ageist by the majority of elders and that such perceptions diminish the perceived quality of life in the facility; furthermore, most elders seem to cope with ageism by accommodating caregivers, a strategy that may ironically reinforce patterns of ageist communication.
ISSN:0890-4065
1879-193X
DOI:10.1016/j.jaging.2012.03.002