Why do some people talk to senior citizens as though they're children?

Question

I get really annoyed whenever I see people talk down to senior citizens and treat them like they're children. For one thing, not all seniors are senile, and even the ones who are are still adults, so they should be treated as adults! Not only that, but people should really stop raising their voices whenever they speak to senior citizens, because believe it or not, not all of them are hard of hearing! By the way, I'm 33, so I'm not exactly a senior, but I have observed these things.

Answer 1

because they are unrespectful idiots.
Thing is we reap what we sow-
Those that are that way with the elderly have their elder years to look forward to-don't they!

Answer 2

senior citizens are treated as though they are children because some of them require that same care and attention. Many lose the ability to do every day things and some may develop alzheimers which would cause them to be confused. Not all senior citizens are like this of course, but some of them really do need to be watched over. Some people may raise their voice a little in order to help the seniors who may be hard of hearing so they do not have to ask them to speak louder. Maybe people stereotype and do things that are sometimes unecessary

Answer 3

We tend to treat people by their actions. Some senior citizens are not senile, but more often they become disoriented, or confused easier than most. Many act childishly because of constant pain. But mostly we who are in good health lose patience with those with poorer health, whose reactions (both mental and physical) are slower than those of us going at full speed, and it's the same as how we feel about holding our patience with little kids who are two steps behind. So we focus on helping get them into the car, out the door, into their chair, and we focus so much on their physical needs and physical comfort and we are so busy and in a hurry that we don't have time to sit down and chat like human beings. We also get tired of the same old stories, the constant complaining, and them always yelling at us like WE are the little kids when we have been adults for more than ten years or so! It really goes both ways - I'll stop treating them like little kids when they stop treating me like a little kid!

Answer 4

It is a shame how we treat our elderly but they do start reverting back to childish ways. My grandmother is 84, deaf as a post, has a host of medical problems and has reverted back to childish ways. BUT I also know several that are older than her and get around better than I do. The best I can guess is they have lived a long full life and have earned the right to act as they please but that should not affect how the younger folks should treat them.

I am 35 and 2 of my biggest pet peeves are cruelty to the elderly and the young. Anyone who knows me knows that I want put up with either. I have been known to go up to complete strangers and just try to talk to them and explain that there is an alternative to being so mean and cruel. After all they are human and they do have feelings. People tend to forget that. I have seen so many eldery where the family has turned their back on them because they are "a burden" That makes me so ANGRY. they cared for you all their life and provided for you now its time to reciprocate a little. I know I am rambling on my "soap box" but that is really a major sore spot with me, so I will stop for now.

Just remember, we will all be old one day and will need help--have some compassion for the elderly in your life--thats all they want!!

Share the love America!!!

Answer 5

I believe the teens, young adults, and the adult person can tolerate some older people because they can have a "nasty attitude, and can be quite crabby especially in the nursing homes. Also, some senior citizens "thinking caps" are like children so it's best "you" treat them with kindness because not everyone will.

Answer 6

I am 56 and no one has talked to me that way but then I am pretty feisty but my mom is 85 and she does have her moments where she talks and acts like a baby so I think she is also treated that way then-my sister does this so I know. But I kind of feel people my mom's age are entitled to feel the way she want to at times. She worked hard all of her life and I feel she deserves to be pampered but definitely not be treated like she is senile and deaf.

Answer 7

Well, to be honest...It's only natural for this to happen. As people get older and are not able to do all the things that they once could...They have to ask for help.
Asking for help from a younger person naturally makes that person think back to when they were a child and couldn't do the things that you are now asking them to do. So to them, the older person is now child-like.
And some older people do act child-like for the same reason.
They may even find themselves begging and pleading for help just like a child would.
The saying..."Once a man, twice a child" is very true.

Answer 8

Point ! Some people adopt that condescending attitude when they deal with seniors. But then it is a reflection on them. They should be able to distinguish between elders who need to be treated like children and those who don't.

Answer 9

Have you ever noticed how senior citizens are addressed by their first names by employees of nursing homes, government organizations, etc. Certainly, there is an increasing lack of respect towards older people. But that is how some employees are taught to behave.

Answer 10

In India many people do not know how to talk (it is inborn) and you cannot find fault with them. Even education has not helped many to talk properly and many are rude.

We do not follow 'Q' system. We bribe.We spit and piss and defecate everywhere.We abuse everybody and use filthy language.

So talking bad to senior citizen is one of them. We have to learn manners. But it has to come in the blood not by teaching.I am nearing the 'senior' level. It is better to ignore these people.

Answer 11

Todays 65 {yesterday 40's}