Health Minister Edwin Poots launched a public consultation into the reform of adult care and support, on 1 October 2012.
The consultation follows the publication of the Health Department's discussion document "Who Cares? The future of Adult Care and Support in Northern Ireland", he explained.
The minister said that too often the growth in the number of elderly people was viewed in a negative manner.
"Our growing elderly population is one of our achievements and is one to be celebrated," he added.
Mr Poots outlined a number of key principles he thought should underpin the care system.
These were "affordability and sustainability, quality, dignity and respect for the individual, equality and diversity, human rights, safeguarding and equity of access".
Sue Ramsey of Sinn Fein, who chairs the Health Committee, welcomed the consultation.
She wanted to know how it would fit with the broader reforms of health and social care represented by the "Transforming Your Care" (TYC) process.
The minister said TYC was due to run for 5 years, the adult care team had made some initial contacts with the TYC team and looked forward to greater co-operation.