This paper aims to develop understanding of the context in which the abuse and maltreatment of older people might proliferate within the health and social care system in the United Kingdom. Drawing on the notion of “social defences” this paper seeks to explore the dual role of consumerism and social defences in facilitating poor practice.
Research and inquiry findings are used to establish the inter‐relationship between social defences, consumerism and poor organisational structures to create a culture in which the abuse and maltreatment of older people might flourish.
The paper suggests the expansion of a consumerist approach to care, along with social defences and organisational structures, reinforces an attitude of indifference to older people across society, and provides the conditions in which the maltreatment of older people by professional carers can go unchallenged.
This is a conceptual paper from which future research could develop to understand, from a societal perspective, the relationship between societal attitudes and responses to older people, their maltreatment and care provision in the UK.
Reform is required at a structural and individual level founded on the conceptual nets of equality and human rights. A consumerist approach alone, for those most vulnerable, may increase their risk of harm.
If safeguarding older people is “everyone's” business, wider society will need to transform an attitude of indifference toward older people into one of dignity and respect.
The current system of health and social care provision leaves many older people maltreated and without support. Whilst much research rightly focuses on practical matters this paper seeks to relocate the debate in a much wider frame of reference to try and establish the philosophical, ethical and moral framework's required to transform societal indifference toward older people to respect.
