Introduction:

The increase in life expectancy has become a reality, a problem, and a challenge for developing countries such as Colombia, marked by social determinants in which the elderly population is largely affected.

Objective:

Describe the perception of older adults and their families regarding formal and informal social support networks that contribute to poverty reduction.

Materials and methods:

A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted. Twenty-two older adults, three men and 19 women, between 60 and 89 years old; two caregivers, and an administrative employee at the institution in Neiva (Huila) participated.

Results:

The findings were framed under four categories established after a theoretical review: perception of aging, structure of social support networks, family dynamics, and perception of social support networks. Three categories emerged during the study: Poverty beyond the economic concept, between the spiritual and emotional as a support network, and the resignification of work in the elderly as an option.

Conclusions:

Older adults perceive formal and informal social support networks as something necessary for their physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. In addition, they identify the resignification of work as a life option based on their instrumental capabilities, along with spirituality, which is strengthened throughout their lives and within their families.