This is the fifth report in the Audit Commission’s series looking at ways to promote the independence and well-being of older people, the previous reports have focused on: ● what independence means for older people (Ref. 1); ● what local authorities, working with other agencies, can do to promote independence and well-being for all of their older citizens (Ref. 2); ● ways of doing this for older people who have become frail (Ref. 3); and ● the role that assistive technology can play (Ref. 4). 2 Many frail older people rely on care provided by relatives or friends.