The “Vulnerability” Discourse in Times of Covid-19: Between Abandonment and Protection of Canadian Francophone Older Adults

Lagacé, Martine; Doucet, Amélie; Dangoisse, Pascale; Bergeron, Caroline D.

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.662231

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…However, research has demonstrated that dementia does not progress in a linear fashion and, most notably, that it varies from person to person [ 35 - 37 ]. Similar stereotypes focusing on frailty and COVID-19 vulnerability among older adults have been found in public health campaigns and traditional news media [ 5 , 6 , 38 - 40 ]. These stereotypes serve to perpetuate COVID-19 stigma against older adults and people with dementia.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Using Twitter to Examine Stigma Against People With Dementia During COVID-19: Infodemiology Study

et al. 2022

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Background During the pandemic, there has been significant social media attention focused on the increased COVID-19 risks and impacts for people with dementia and their care partners. However, these messages can perpetuate misconceptions, false information, and stigma. Objective This study used Twitter data to understand stigma against people with dementia propagated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We collected 1743 stigma-related tweets using the GetOldTweets application in Python from February 15 to September 7, 2020. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the tweets. Results Based on our analysis, 4 main themes were identified: (1) ageism and devaluing the lives of people with dementia, (2) misinformation and false beliefs about dementia and COVID-19, (3) dementia used as an insult for political ridicule, and (4) challenging stigma against dementia. Social media has been used to spread stigma, but it can also be used to challenge negative beliefs, stereotypes, and false information. Conclusions Dementia education and awareness campaigns are urgently needed on social media to address COVID-19-related stigma. When stigmatizing discourse on dementia is widely shared and consumed amongst the public, it has public health implications. How we talk about dementia shapes how policymakers, clinicians, and the public value the lives of people with dementia. Stigma perpetuates misinformation, pejorative language, and patronizing attitudes that can lead to discriminatory actions, such as the limited provision of lifesaving supports and health services for people with dementia during the pandemic. COVID-19 policies and public health messages should focus on precautions and preventive measures rather than labeling specific population groups.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Using Twitter to Examine Stigma Against People With Dementia During COVID-19: Infodemiology Study

et al. 2022

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“…Indeed, Fraser et al (2020) warned of the potential negative impacts of ageist hashtags circulating on social media during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lagacé et al (2021) report similar concerns about the COVID-19 media discourse labelling all older adults as vulnerable people whom we must "fight for" and not "fight along with." Similarly, Stollznow (2020) describes how prejudice in ageist language perpetuates conflict between boomer and millennial generations, and in the end, impacts everyone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Upholding dignity during a pandemic via Twitter

Mulvey

O’Sullivan²,

Fraser³

2023

F1000Res

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Background: This article investigates how people invoked the concept of dignity on Twitter during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a secondary focus on mentions of dignity in the context of older adults and ageing. Methods: We report the results of a study that combines text analytic and interpretive methods to analyze word clusters and dignity-based themes in a cross-national sample of 1,946 original messages posted in 2020. Results: The study finds that dignity discourse on Twitter advances five major themes: (a) recognize dignity as a fundamental right, (b) uphold the dignity of essential workers, (c) preserve the dignity of at-risk populations, (d) prevent cascading disasters that exacerbate dignity's decline, and (e) attend to death, dignity, and the sanctity of life. Conclusions: Moreover, messages focusing on older adults lamented the disproportionate death toll, the terrible circumstances in long-term care homes, the added impact of suspended meal delivery services and the status of older people living below the poverty line.

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“…Advocates in Quebec society spoke out and defended those living in LTC. Other studies found that some older adults living in the community distanced themselves from those living in a CHSLD (Lagacé et al, 2021). As social isolation grew strong among the residents of various LTC homes and certain deleterious living conditions were exposed, some individuals demonstrated their advocacy directly, with deliberate acts of kindness, while others acted indirectly, challenging the underlying ageist views that are present in the public discourse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A critical discourse analysis of the Quebec media’s portrayal of older adults in residences and long-term care homes pre- and peri-COVID-19

2022

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Background: How we discuss older adults can influence our perceptions of aging and age-related policies, particularly during times of crisis. Ageist discourse in the media impacts how society views older adults and how older adults view themselves. Negative stereotypes have been associated with negative health outcomes and can exacerbate the adverse events faced by older adults during a pandemic. This study examined the Quebec media’s portrayal of older adults living in long-term care (LTC) homes before and during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods: The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Quebec was on 27 February 2020. The Factiva database was searched for newspaper articles that were published three months before (pre) and three months after (peri) the first confirmed case. Articles had to include the terms: older adults, LTC, and/or residence. Articles were excluded if they did not discuss direct or indirect impacts in the lives of people living in LTC (i.e., only discussed statistics of COVID-19 cases). After screening, 208 articles were retained, and critical discourse analysis was conducted. Results: The media discourse regarding older adults in LTC homes revealed a lack of resources (i.e., insufficient staff) and negative health outcomes for older adults (i.e., bed sores) in both the pre- and peri-COVID-19 articles. Negative and positive elements emerged from the peri-COVID-19 discourse, including increased social isolation of those in LTC, government action and advocacy (by health care practitioners and family) to support those in LTC homes. Conclusions: Existing systemic problems were exacerbated by the pandemic and this impacted older adults in LTC homes negatively. Despite this, the peri-COVID-19 discourse suggests meaningful change at the societal and policy levels to improve outcomes for future generations of older adults who reside in LTC homes.

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The “Vulnerability” Discourse in Times of Covid-19: Between Abandonment and Protection of Canadian Francophone Older Adults

Cited by 17 publications

References 63 publications

Using Twitter to Examine Stigma Against People With Dementia During COVID-19: Infodemiology Study

Using Twitter to Examine Stigma Against People With Dementia During COVID-19: Infodemiology Study

Upholding dignity during a pandemic via Twitter

A critical discourse analysis of the Quebec media’s portrayal of older adults in residences and long-term care homes pre- and peri-COVID-19

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