Resumen
Este artigo demonstra a realidade brasileira: o crescimento acentuado da população idosa e o aumento de doenças crônico-degenerativas, que causam grandes impactos na qualidade de vida do idoso e da família. Aponta, ainda, o quanto é escasso o suporte social oferecido aos familiares para o cuidado do idoso, pois muitos direitos da velhice, previstos pela legislação brasileira, ainda não foram, na prática, garantidos pelas Políticas Sociais.Palavras-chave: Envelhecimento, família, políticas sociais.AGING, FAMILY AND SOCIAL POLICIESAbstract: The Brazilian reality presents an increasing growth of the aged population as well as the increase of chronicdegenerative illnesses, what causes specific impacts on the elder´s quality of life as well as on their families´ quality of life. What has to be considered is that the social support offered to families in order to take care of the eldery is actually too scarce. Many rights of the elderies, foreseen by the Brazilian legislation, have not yet been put into practice, therefore have not been guaranteed by Social Policies.Keywords: Aging, family, social policies.