Objective:

Explore the trajectory of popular care and the family dynamics of families with elderly members in situations of disability and poverty in three culturally diverse groups in Colombia.

Method:

Qualitative study of secondary data guided by Johnston, of ethnographic studies from 2007 through 2016. Data was organized in the N-Vivo program and the analysis guided by Leininger.

Results:

The cultural topic "The cobweb of family care: strength and fragility" reveals how the trajectory of care starts from filial commitment and the suffering caused by old age, disability and poverty. Decisions and actions are derived from popular knowledge, meager external resources, and dismal experiences with health services. The family achieves some control to adapt with ingenuity, maintaining optimism despite poverty, lack of social and political of protection, but the vulnerability of the family system is evident.

Conclusions:

The cultural system of the family group are decisive in the family trajectories and dynamics that are woven around the care. In a world full of adversity, feelings, the family and owning resources are the buffers to get ahead. The family demands different supports to care for itself and not succumb in the attempt.

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