The Power of Labels Exercise
•
•
This exercise was adapted from the inspiration of Karen Stobbe and her husband’s plenary at the 2007 Pioneer
Network Conference in Minneapolis.
Suggested Instructions for Use:
1. Print each of these slides as two different labels (one set is a “non-person” set beginning with “Woman in
213” or just ”213”; the other a person-centered set beginning with “Wanda”). Add ribbon or string to be
able to place each of these labels around participant’s neck. We used tag board as a backing.
2. Two presenters are needed to be place labels around necks and converse with volunteers and participants.
3. Introduce the exercise with asking audience why staff don’t always speak up when they think there is a
problem. Someone will likely state “fear of being labeled a troublemaker” or something similar. Respond
with “Do you think we label residents? Do you think affects the way we communicate and provide care?”
4. Then read the Mark Twain quote from “The Power of Labels” slide.
5. Ask for 2 volunteers from your audience and ask them to react as labels are placed around their necks.
6. Alternate labels starting with “Non-person” set (“Woman in 213”) on first volunteer – then “Advocate” set
(“Wanda”) on the other volunteer.
7. After all labels have been used (ending with “Helpless” and “Empowered”), ask volunteers to respond as to
their feelings. Take time here. Then ask audience to share observations.
8. Conclude the exercise by placing the “larger slides” signs (“Support My Decision Making,” etc.) around
volunteer’s necks – ending with “The Power of Labels” sign.
Please contact either of us with any questions and/or additional ideas and suggestions to improve or adapt this exercise.
We’d appreciate the feedback and sharing of your experiences using this exercise. Thank you!
Ann Holme, Regional Ombudsman
Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
40719 County Hwy 23, Ortonville, MN 56278
Phone: 320-273-2364; Fax: 320-273-2254
ann..holme@state.mn.us
Mark Wandersee, Executive Director
ElderCare Rights Alliance
2626 E. 82nd St, Suite 230, Bloomington, MN 55425
Phone: 952-854-7304; Fax: 952.854.8535
mwandersee@eldercarerights.org
The Power of
Labels
“The difference between the right
word and the almost-right word is
the difference between lightning
and lightning-bug.”
Mark Twain
Woman In 213
Resident
My Friend
Old Woman
Elder
Complainer
Problem
Solver
Agitated
Active
Depressed
Demented
Forgetful
Elopement
Risk
Likes To
Walk
Fall Risk
Wants To
Walk
Needs
Restraint
Schedule
Walks
Difficult
Determined
Aggressive
Assertive
Non- Compliant
Questions
Treatment
Manipulative
Resourceful
Behavior
Communicator
Behavior
Life Long
Way of Doing
Care Plan
Problem
My
Strengths
Disabled
Needs
Support
Feeder
Needs Assist
At Meals
Wheelchair
Bound
Wheelchair
User
Needs Diaper
Needs Pad/Brief
Incompetent
Has Capacity
Helpless
Empowered
Support My
Decision
Making
Respect
My
InDivIduAlity
Help Me
Maintain
MY Daily
Schedule
Support
My
Participation
Allow Me
CONTROL
Support
My
CHOICES
The
Power
of
Labels