The text analyses the link between theory-practice-values, related to the social work on the field of elderly people. New methodological proposals retain two statements as transverse elements: personalizing relations and valuing citizenship. Respect for human dignity and personal identity is one of the historical ethical bulwarks of knowledge in the sphere of social intervention, one of its postulates and operational principles. This ethical principle has been a benchmark for professional practice as a whole for many years. Respect for difference is fundamental to the establishment of compensating and rehabilitating measures, and it fosters the humanization of the structures, especially where residential care is involved. Accepting the elderly as citizens implies giving them rights founded on values such as respect for difference and human dignity.

In the article, on the basis of theoretical statements of New Public Management and Mixed Economy, changes in the area of social care service management for the elderly are analyzed. As the results of these changes, there appear opportunities for profit-seeking organizations to provide social care services; the competition between different social care service providers is encouraged. A theoretical model of social care service provision is presented.