social carenoun [ U ]
uk/ˌsəʊ.ʃəl ˈkeər//ˌsoʊ.ʃəl ˈker/mainly UK US home carecare by public organizations and private companies for people in society who need special help in order to live comfortably, for example help with washing or eating:
These demographic features of older age groups are important when considering future demands for social care .
An estimated 1m people work in social care, in jobs ranging from home helps to assistants providing 24-hour support for the profoundly disabled.