Social Enterprises in Elderly Care

Abstract

Ageing population is a universal phenomenon which needs the combined efforts of the public, private and third sectors to tackle. Social enterprises are non-profit-making organisations which provide goods and services with a social mission to benefit the community. Social enterprises have been developing and provide a suitable model for the sustainable delivery of some public services, including health care. While social enterprises also strike to make a profit, profits will be reinvested to substantiate their social mission and to create positive social change. Hence, social enterprise is defined as a business with social objectives whose surplus is reinvested in the business or in the community, rather than maximising profit for shareholders and owners. Up to now, there are limited research on the impacts of social enterprises on the health and well-being of older people. Based on examples in Hong Kong, this chapter discusses the nature of social enterprises, their roles in the care and community services for older adults, and give recommendations on further enhancing the roles of social enterprises in the care for older adults.