Evaluation of Films That Depict People With Dementia

Aims Films are known to influence the public's perception about mental health conditions. Dementia's prevalence in society has been increasing due ageing population. Cinema long struggled with its depiction of as seen schizophrenia, autism and psychosis many blockbusters award winning films. However, dementia films not widely explored. The aim this paper is evaluate assess clinically accuracy. Methods A systematic search keywords related was completed on Internet Movie Database. conducted May 2022. Non-foreign language feature were used paper. from 2000 onwards used. analysed type they portrayed. 8 themes tropes assessed for each film. portrayal healthcare also assessed. Each film measured against Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire. Results 42 an initial sample 1,320. Alzheimer's found be most frequently portrayed cause dementia. Time-shifting common theme. There a predominantly negative care homes positive carers. films, NPI-Q, produced average lower severity neuropsychiatric symptom score carer distress score. Conclusion mild comparison dementia's clinical manifestation. showed workers which can considered rare when looking at cinema's history psychiatry. Overall, did accurately portray aspect tended focus more early stages diagnosis. realistic their emotional challenges that comes diagnosis Film's powerful role influencing could help reduce stigma misunderstanding. Filmmakers work clinicians produce accurate portrayals Patients experience emotive but equally symptomatic aspects cinema should able embody that. An still maintain appeal same time reducing misunderstanding held by public improve outcomes.