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The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge of media attention on care and older adults, topics that were previously marginal in the media. Using this moment as a framing event, the ‘Images of Care’ research projects aim to understand how care and later life are represented in the news media and imagined by older adults in their daily lives.
The Images of Care research project is part of the Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC) at the University of Edinburgh. The aim of the Images of Care project is to gain a deeper understanding of care in later life by examining how care is portrayed in news images and how individuals themselves visually communicate their experiences of care. It is crucial to examine how care in later life is visually represented, as these visual representations shape societal norms and perceptions surrounding aging and care.
To complete our aims we conducted the following three research activities:
Media analysis:
We analysed over 1,000 images from UK mainstream news media! These were images of care and later life during the pandemic.Co-analysis Workshops:
To understand the meaning behind these images in news media we conducted workshops where participants actively co-analysed the images.Photography project:
In addition to studying existing media images of care, we had older adults create their own images of care in their daily lives.
IMAGE GUIDELINES:
With the help of our participants, we have developed guidelines for images of care and later life. These guidelines are an output generated from our research findings that analysed images in UK news articles and from our co-analysis workshops that qualitatively examined these images with older adults. This research identified a pressing need for guidelines to address issues in representation of care in later life.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE GUIDELINES:
Media images tend to depict older adults primarily in terms of healthcare, as burdens, or objects of pity. These unfavorable stereotypes about ageing are particularly pronounced when talking about care, where the loss of independence and burden are frequently emphasised. Our research found media images often depict older adults as passive recipients of care, neglecting their active contributions and the complexity of caregiving. Moreover, these portrayals tend to underscore care as a private responsibility rather than a shared societal concern.
To counteract these issues and foster a more accurate and respectful portrayal of care in later life, we developed image guidelines collaboratively with input from our research participants. The goal is to move beyond simplistic and negative depictions, promoting a more nuanced understanding of care in later life.
Studies have found that older adults feel they are represented poorly in the media and internalise these negative messages about ageing. Our research echoes these findings, revealing low expectations and diminished trust in media representations. Our guidelines aim to prompt reflection on image selection, advocating for respectful and truthful depictions to contribute to positive narratives surrounding ageing and care.
EXHIBITION:
In addition to analysing media representations of care and later life, we have been working on a creative photography project that has been turned into an exhibition. The Images of Care exhibition critically explores what care looks like in later life. It is comprised of 170 photographs taken by older adults of moments of care in their daily life. Co-produced with older adults, the exhibition aims to redefine visual narratives of aging and care.
Background:
Through the Images of Care research we found that media narratives often approach both ageing and care as a problem and reproduced ageist stereotypes. The Images of Care exhibition aims to reframe these topics through participatory photography to share moments of care in daily life that are often overlooked.Objectives:
Through the lens of participants-turned-photographers, we aimed to capture a greater understanding of care, challenging stereotypes, and acknowledging the lived experiences of older adults. By co-producing the exhibition, we take these experiences of care and elevate them to the status of an exhibition while simultaneously challenging what counts as valued experiences, skills, and subjects to reproduce in this space.Visual elements:
The exhibition features four double-sided fabric panels, 2 meters in height and width, displaying all 170 participant-taken photographs. Accompanied by text written by participants and quotes from interviews, these images highlight the beauty in everyday acts of care and reflect the collaborative essence of the project.
EXHIBTION SHOWINGS 2024:
April 15-16 - ACRC Symposium, University of Edinburgh
May 28–30 - Impact Festival, Nucleus Building University of Edinburgh
June 26-29 - International Visual Sociology Association Conference, Xalapa, Mexico
For more details on future showings of the exhibition please visit the ACRC website.
