The differences between what health professionals and the elderly perceive concerning the need for home health care were studied. Elderly persons were interviewed to ascertain their perceived needs while health professionals responded to a questionnaire. Preliminary analysis of the resulting data revealed that the most frequently perceived problems by the elderly were chronic health problems, lack of home assistance while ill, access to medical care, transportation, cost of health care, and lack of companionship. In contrast, health professionals identified physical disabilities, chronic health problems, cost of health care, food preparation ability, and transportation to receive health care as the primary needs of the elderly. It is suggested that on-going community health programs for the elderly be more sensitive to what these citizens actually need rather than what health professionals think they need. (JD)