Objective To understand elder-care assistants′attitudes toward government purchases of home-based elderly-care services, and to explore their gains and problems in the services. Methods Forty-six elder-care assistants who provided care for the elderly in their homes were selected from 3 elder-care institutions in Ouhai district of Wenzhou City and received semi-structured interviews. Results They held positive attitudes toward government purchases of home-based elder-care services. Their gains included stable and flexible work,personal growth and development,reflection on the values and meanings of life. The problems they faced with were unclear professional image, incomplete salary and welfare system, and potential dangers to personal safety. Conclusion Elder-care assistants have gains during provision of home-based elder-care services, however, there are some problems that must be solved. It is necessary to strengthen the cooperation of the government, elder-care institutions, and medical institutions, to reinforce training and perfect the management mechanism.