A recent New York Times article highlighted the negative impact of “elderspeak” on the mental health of older adults.  The term “elderspeak” was defined as “the sweetly belittling form of address that has always rankled older people.”  I decided to find out if lawyers thought this was a problem and I received the following response from a 76 year old lawyer, which says it all.  I will change his name to Joe Smith to protect his identity.

At my age (76), I resent being called "Joe" by younger health care workers,
so I correct them  "It's Mr. Smith to you."  Now, in restaurants when the waitress calls me "sweetie" or "honey," I don't take offense - they don't know my name.  What "bugs" me is when a waitress says to my wife and me, "What can I get for you guys?" I gently remind her that there is only one guy present.

One time I took one of those "sweet young things” (a Purdue student) aside
and told her, gently, that she could increase her tips by not calling old people
"guys," and that if she wanted to call a booth of youngsters "guys," they
probably don't mind (they don't tip very much anyhow).  She seemed to really
appreciate my suggestion.
 
What really gets me is when a particular younger usher at church greets
me with a handshake and says, "How are you today, young man?"  Every
time, I remind him that I am an old man, but he persists.  So, I think I'll use
a different entrance from now on!!!!

The article itself is worth reading and may be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/us/07aging.html?_r=1&oref=slogin