Baby Talk & Senior Adults

Yeah, Don’t, You Might Get More Than You Bargained For

My mother and I, 2017

There’s a certain way we speak to the elderly. I’m not sure when it kicks in officially, or why we do it, but you know exactly what I mean. Somewhere along the line, we start speaking to our elders as if they’re children.

I’ve been guilty of it too. I worked in healthcare for years before going to law school. I know the voice. I know the lingo. What I didn’t realize is how incredibly condescending it is. That is until I had to start shuffling my mother around to medical appointments and later, dealing with nursing home staff.

Luckily, she had her own unique way of dealing with the voice and the lingo, biting wit with a side of snark. Here are some of my favourite examples:

Nursing Staff: Hi, Winnie, how are we today?
Winnie: Well, I’m fine. I’m not sure how “we” are.

Doctor (after 20 minutes of questions): Winnie, do you know who the current Prime Minister is?
Winnie: (Rolls eyes) Gives correct answer and proceeds to list every PM in Canadian history, in order.

Nursing Home Staff: It’s time for our lunch.
Winnie: Good, you have this slop, I’ll order out.

Staff: (in that sing-song baby voice) Good morning, Sweetie!
Winnie: Take that baby talk to the daycare…