Social support is described as an interaction between people that includes expression of affection, behavior affirmations, and material help.The loss of these positive elements can be replaced by feelings of physical or psychological dependency in the elderly, directly related to negative psychological symptoms like depression, feelings of solitude, burden, uselessness, and appearance of chronic diseases.The last part of the article contains a series of strategies that orientate nursing personnel toward social support of the elderly.This article invites a reflection on the importance of social support in the physical and psychological well being of the elderly, as a source for carrying out nursing studies in community and care areas.