It is often easy to underestimate the power of our words. Many of us may unknowingly use unfavourable language in our day-to-day lives that might make others around use feel uncomfortable. In the case of people living with inclusive needs such as dementia, diabetes or brain injury, many already feel isolated due to their conditions.
In 2021, 61% of disabled people reported chronic loneliness, and 37% said they were chronically lonely before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to official statistics by the GOV.UK, disabled adults are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness. 14% of disabled adults were more likely to report that they feel lonely, and 18% were more likely to report high levels of indirect loneliness. In comparison, 3% of non-disabled adults were more likely to report that they feel lonely, and 5% were more likely to report high levels of indirect loneliness. A big contributor to this is the language that others use with them.
Person-Centred Language
Person-centred language (PCL) puts the individual before their diagnosis, disability, or circumstances, treating them as a whole person rather than a label. It promotes dignity and reduces stigma by using respectful, objective, and strengths-based terminology. Common examples include saying “person with a disability” instead of “disabled person”. Person-centred language …
- Focuses on the individual, not their condition (e.g., “person with diabetes” instead of “diabetic”).
- Highlights the capabilities and humanity rather than just deficits or challenges.
- Uses precise, factual language to describe situations rather than judgmental labels like “agitated” or “confused”.
- Recognises the person’s unique identity, preferences, and dignity
It is also incredibly important if you care for someone with inclusive needs. The person-centred language approach improves the client-to-care-provider relationship, fosters trust, and encourages individuals to engage in their own care. It acknowledges that words shape subconscious perceptions and can either create barriers or support recovery and inclusion.
The Power of Language
Person-centred language (PCL) puts the individual before their diagnosis, disability, or circumstances, treating them as a whole person rather than a label. It promotes dignity and reduces stigma by using respectful, objective, and strengths-based terminology. Common examples include saying “person with a disability” instead of “disabled person”. Person-centred language …
- Focuses on the individual, not their condition (e.g., “person with diabetes” instead of “diabetic”).
- Highlights the capabilities and humanity rather than just deficits or challenges.
- Uses precise, factual language to describe situations rather than judgmental labels like “agitated” or “confused”.
- Recognises the person’s unique identity, preferences, and dignity
It is also incredibly important if you care for someone with inclusive needs. The person-centred language approach improves the client-to-care-provider relationship, fosters trust, and encourages individuals to engage in their own care. It acknowledges that words shape subconscious perceptions and can either create barriers or support recovery and inclusion.
The Power of Language
Words don’t just describe our world; they influence how we treat people. Language is our way to express thoughts and cultivate relationships. The words we use to describe things come from cultural views of how we feel about them, and are passed on through generations.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, the founding father of modern behavioural economics, explains that words activate associations to other concepts in our heads. When we hear a word, it sparks a chain reaction. Words trigger ideas, which then trigger more and more ideas, resurface memories, recall past emotions, and so on. Many of us use words without thinking about the associations and implications of them.
Dehumanisation in Care
It starts with subtle dehumanising labels like “the diabetic” and can end in systemic neglect or abuse. As a carer or support worker, making the switch to more inclusive language ensures you care for feel like a person, not a “case” or a “task.” Dehumanising language is a psychological mechanism that makes it easier to justify the exclusion, degradation, or mistreatment of others.
It is often a precursor to broader social, systemic, or physical violence. This is supported by French historian Michel Foucault’s idea of the ‘Medical Gaze’. The idea of the ‘Medical Gaze’ suggests that reducing a person to a body part or diagnosis leads to them experiencing less empathy and a lower quality of care. Some examples include:
- Referring to a patient with a hip replacement as “the hip replacement in room 3” rather than their name
- Referring to a person with schizophrenia as “a schizophrenic”
Some examples of home care could be:
- “I’m doing a double-up”
- “I’m doing a feed”
The problem is that the person subconsciously becomes an obstacle to be dealt with, rather than a participant, without you even realising it. If professionals focus only on ‘problems’, clients may begin to see themselves as ‘a problem’ rather than a person, which they can internalise.
The Trap of Infantilisation
When caring for elderly people who may be perceived as vulnerable or helpless, many carers fall into the trap of using “elderspeak” or pet names. Research shows infantilising language increases an elderly person’s “resistance to care” because it triggers a loss of dignity. For example, saying things like “sweetie,” “babes”, or “good girl” can be demeaning or condescending to a grown adult. The way we, as individuals, communicate and behave can either strengthen or weaken the sense of identity of those we care for. It has a direct impact on how clients see themselves and how much control they feel they have over their lives.
If you are unsure how to prevent yourself from falling into this habit, the golden rule is to always ask! Communicate with the person you are caring for as the adult they are, regardless of their health condition. Ask them how they would like to be addressed. If you want to learn more about how you can improve your care techniques and become a more empathetic carer, visit our blog page for more carer tips.