Numerous studies have shown that some speech accommodation in interactions with the elderly can aid communication. "Over"accommodaters, however, employing features such as high pitch, exaggerated prosody, and child-like forms of address, often demean, infantilise, and patronise elderly interlocutors rather than facilitate comprehension.…

Infantilization was investigated in a sample of elderly adults, both community residents (n=18) and residents of institutions (n=17). Community residents were more negative in their ratings of infantilizing speech content and intonation, and appeared particularly resentful of infantilizing speech intonation of the dimension of respect. (JPS)

This exploratory study examines relative effects of individual, client, and organizational characteristics on stereotypes of the aged held by nursing home administrators. Data from 45 administrators suggest client characteristics may be more important than personal or organizational dimensions in explaining variation in perceptions of the aged.…

A project was developed to combat the negative stereotypes of ageism, and to provide positive role models of older adults for young children. Funded with a grant of $750, an Intergenerational Teaching Resource Center was established. Two major Center activities were (1) the selection, purchase, and organization into a lending program of 65 books…