Foster care is a type of social service where accommodation is provided to children or adults under certain conditions by foster parents (including single parents), or foster care providers and their families. The paper provides an overview of foster care for older persons from a theoretical and research perspective, as well as foster care in the context of deinstitutionalisation. The purpose of foster care is to provide care and support to individuals in need by providing a stimulating and positive family environment in accordance with their individual plan of change. Despite a recent increase in the number of older persons placed in foster families in Croatia, there is a lack of interest in the scientific community to critically assess this type of care. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of foster care for older persons in Croatia with the aim of improving this form of care.