title: Stereotypes Associated With Age-related Conditions and Assistive Device Use in Canadian Media.
abstract: Newspapers are an important source of information. The discourses within the media can influence public attitudes and support or discourage stereotypical portrayals of older individuals. This study critically examined discourses within a Canadian newspaper in terms of stereotypical depictions of age-related health conditions and assistive technology devices (ATDs).
  
  
  
  Four years (2009-2013) of Globe and Mail articles were searched for terms relevant to the research question. A total of 65 articles were retained, and a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the texts was conducted. The articles were coded for stereotypes associated with age-related health conditions and ATDs, consequences of the stereotyping, and context (overall setting or background) of the discourse.
  
  
  
  The primary code list included 4 contexts, 13 stereotypes, and 9 consequences of stereotyping. CDA revealed discourses relating to (a) maintaining autonomy in a stereotypical world, (b) ATDs as obstacles in employment, (c) barriers to help seeking for age-related conditions, and (d) people in power setting the stage for discrimination.
  
  
  
  Our findings indicate that discourses in the Canadian media include stereotypes associated with age-related health conditions. Further, depictions of health conditions and ATDs may exacerbate existing stereotypes about older individuals, limit the options available to them, lead to a reduction in help seeking, and lower ATD use. Education about the realities of age-related health changes and ATDs is needed in order to diminish stereotypes and encourage ATD uptake and use.
authors.affiliation: The School of Social Work, McGill University, Montréal, Canada. sarah.fraser5@mail.mcgill.ca.|CRIR/Institut Raymond Dewar, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah Anne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: CRIR/Institut Raymond Dewar, Montréal, Canada.|The School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.affiliation: The Department of Communication, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.|Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lagacé
authors.affiliation: Université de Montréal, École d'Optométrie, Montréal, Canada.|CRIR/MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wittich
authors.affiliation: The School of Social Work, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.|CRIR/Institut Raymond Dewar, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Kenneth Edmund
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Southall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063506:Ageism; D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D011639:Public Opinion; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013240:Stereotyping
keywords: Critical discourse analysis; Multiple chronic conditions; Rehabilitation; Stigma