ABSTRACT
The study of institutional life and institutional care of older adults is undoubtedly an important area of social gerontology. Although only a minority of older people experience long-term institutional living (in the United Kingdom, about 5% of the total population over 65; Royal Commission on Long Term care, 1999), it is nevertheless the case that the “very old” section of the population (those over 85) is growing more rapidly than any other: By 2050 it will be three times the current figures (Royal Commission on Long Term Care, 1999). About 20% of the over 85s are likely to need institutional care (Henwood, 1990). Quality of care in residential institutions for older adults is therefore of increasing interest and relevance to those involved in the care of the dependent older adults. It is now well-recognized in the social gerontology and geriatric nursing literature that quality of older adult care is in large part down to the carer-caree relationship (see, e.g., Brown, Nolan, & Davies, 2001; Marr, 1996; Nussbaum, 1990; Ory & Bond, 1989), and the communication process itself is seen by some to be central to this relationship (e.g., CarisVerhallen, Kerkstra, & Bensing, 1997). Nussbaum (1990) stated that “communication researchers should study the messages which are exchanged within the nursing home” (p. 168). Discourse analysis provides, arguably, the best approach to such a research task. Van Dijk (1985) stated that “Discourse analysis provides us with rather powerful, while subtle and precise, insights to pinpoint the everyday manifestations and displays of social problems in communication and interaction . . . ” (Vol. 4, p. 7). However, in the applied geriatric and gerontological literature, the detailed analysis of talk is only just beginning to be valued (e.g., Bryan & Maxim, 1998; Erber, 1994).
