ABSTRACT
‘Privatisation’ is a dirty word. In the field of care for the elderly it has been used mainly in relation to private residential or nursing homes. In this paper I describe a new concept in community care - a private agency set up in South London to provide care for old people in their own homes. I argue that the nature of a private organisation is such that it can provide a flexible versatile service which really meets the needs of clients. In doing this I draw on statistics from the first one-and-a-half years operation of the agency. I also consider research findings which indicate the needs of clients from community based services, and one research study which suggests the possible characteristics of private sector clients.
