You may have seen this beautiful lady on our old homepage. Her name is Amy, and we absolutely adore her! One of our caregivers made the heart-embroidered covering she is wearing to protect her clothes at mealtime. Notice we do not call it a “bib.” Our education director, Laura Hazen, suggests we use the word “napkin” instead. Bibs are for babies, and older adults suffer enough indignity when their personal care items carry the same labels as an infant’s. Think of adult “diapers” and adult “daycare.” There must be a better label for both.
Laura came up with the idea to call the bib a “napkin” while she cared for her (now deceased) mother. Laura said she would even put a “napkin” on herself to create more normalcy for her mother at mealtimes.
“Bib” is certainly not a negative word. Some of the best meals are enjoyed while wearing a lobster bib. But when that word becomes a reminder of yet another diminishing ability, it needs to be replaced.