To discover the process of admission and transition of older adults to home care following hospital discharge, or during periods of illness, ethnographic methodology was used to explore the experience of 65 participants in the "culture" of home care: patients, families, nurses, home care staff, and discharge planners. Two themes resulting from ethnographic analysis are presented: identification of patients and needs, and transfer of information. Support from family and friends was an essential addition to referral by discharge planners, physicians, and casefinding in facilitating transition to home care. Accurate, timely patient information was found to expedite home nursing assessment and insure continuity of care.