The aim of this study was to depict care personnel’s perception of social treatment in care relations. Another aim was to bring forth what the personnel acknowledge as important factors to reach a goal of good encounters with the elderly. Through interviews with five care assistants working at the same nursing home, three different themes were formulated in order to answer the study questions. The themes were Concerning treatment, Organized care, and Personnel force. The personnel described the social treatment as something else than just being friendly and polite when approaching the elderly. They meant that the importance was lying in the energy and the feeling you convey everyday when coming in to the ward in the beginning of the shift. Organizational issues, however, were perceived as hinders for the personnel to always be able to accomplish a desirable encounter in care relations. The most important factor that improved the conditions for a positive social treatment in care relations was the team of colleagues. Within the team they had the opportunity to reflect over work, issues, the social treatments and other problems, and also learn from each other. The most important issue that the interviewed persons emphasized is that it is not about being friendly and polite when approaching care takers. It is about being percipient and able to create a positive energy around yourself and others. Nyckelord: Bemötande, omsorgspersonal, social omsorg, äldreboende, äldreomsorg