From fear to hope: representations of dementia in the Australian news media

Dementia is a global public health concern and has been identified as a key health concern among older people. A diagnosis of dementia and the subsequent symptoms associated with dementia progression can be distressing for both people with dementia and their loved ones, and people may experience significant fear around dementia diagnosis. This can lead to stigmatisation of dementia. Topics related to dementia are frequently covered by the news media. Given the potential for news media to impact societal narratives, this study aimed to explore how dementia was discussed in Australian news media. A search was conducted across Australian news media platforms for articles related to dementia. A total of 168 relevant articles were identified and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: (1) Dementia is a condition to be feared; (2) Search for understanding; (3) Increasing dementia rates are problematic for society; (4) Broader society’s role in dementia narratives; and (5) “Life doesn’t end with dementia”: Expressions of hope. While fear-based reporting was apparent in much of the data, a trend towards more positive and inclusive reporting was also evident. However, more work is needed to ensure that authentic voices of people with dementia are heard.