ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the question of the need, especially in recent times in Britain, to find blame and then acknowledgement by some original perpetrators of an apparently avoidable death. It focuses on the disparity between the perception and therefore treatment of the aged and, by implication, those of younger age categories. Again, there are consequences for the differential attention paid to illness among the aged in contrast to those of younger age. The aim was to explore how physical illness in Bridget had been systematically denied by doctor(s) and consultants, whereas friends, siblings, her housecleaner, neighbours, nurses, health visitors, social workers, tradesmen and daughters knew otherwise. The Conservative government's introduction of 'care in the community' is a euphemism for the taken-for-granted duties of the daughter or spouse. The illness turned out to be a topical and politically specific one which linked all the way back to the government in power.
