COMMUNICATION PREDICAMENTS OF AGING - PATRONIZING BEHAVIOR TOWARD OLDER ADULTS

Within a communication accommodation framework, this article reviews t he emerging literature on patronizing communication directed to older adults in both institutional and community settings. The verbal and no nverbal features of patronizing messages (modifications of communicati on based on age-based stereotypes of incompetence and dependence) are outlined, with an emphasis on the multiple, often ambiguous meanings o f such messages. The authors organize the discussion of the functions and consequences of patronizing communication around the dual purposes of intergenerational communication (respect and caring) and emphasize how a focus on caring for frail elders can lead to overparenting and dependency-supportive behaviors, Both field studies of staff talk addr essed to older care receivers and evaluative studies with conversation al scenarios have permitted analyses of the influences of provider beh avior; recipient characteristics, context, and recipient response on t he meaning of patronizing messages.