Encouraging older adults to use assistive devices: The role of politeness theory

The current study explored the application of Politeness Theory within the context of conversations between older adults and their adult children about acquiring assistive devices. Politeness Theory posits that we want our public self-image, i.e. ‘face’ to be respected, and that concept of face is divided into negative face and positive face. We can show respect for negative face by communicating we value a person’s autonomy, and we can show respect for positive face by communicating we value a person’s abilities. Participants age 65 years or older were randomly assigned to read one of four scripts of a conversation between an older adult and her adult child in which varying levels of respect for autonomy and abilities were expressed. The respect for both autonomy (negative face) and abilities (positive face) group reported significantly higher levels of willingness to consider acquiring assistive devices compared to the threatening both autonomy and ability group. Additionally, the role of geographic regions was explored and the findings were consistent across rural and urban contexts. The use of assistive devices among those who need them has been found to result in pervasive benefits in a variety of areas including physical health, mental health, functional abilities, and social activity. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for education in an array of contexts.