Определите пожалуйста стиль речи данного текста: научный или публицистический? All people need help at one point. Help is something normal, a matter of course. Though there are a number of benefits to an ageing society – leading longer and healthier lives, for example – it poses a lot of challenges, too. After all, a higher number of older people can no longer be sufficiently supported by a declining number of younger people. Supporting services – home care, family support and domestic services, also called eldercare services – can not only relieve the burden of the elderly themselves but also of their relatives. They can also help the elderly to live an autonomous life, in their own home. But how can this support be given and organised? This was discussed at the international “Eldercare Services in Europe – Home Care, Family Support and Domestic Services for Older People” conference held in Berlin on September 15 and 16, 2011.3 Eldercare services can be analysed from two perspectives: From the stakeholders’ point of view, there are services rendered by the state, by companies or by private people. The topic can also be considered under the aspect of various infrastructures. On the one hand, there are so-called service provider networks or central points users can get in touch with. On the other hand, structural support schemes and vouchers can make services user-friendly. And last but not least: technology as an innovative instrument can expand the facilities and the reach of various supporting services.