As our review shows, currently, the evidence indicates a beneficial relation between family support (i.e. frequent contact, social support, financial support) provided and the health and well-being of recipient older adults in SSA. We found frequent social contact with family and social support provided to older adults positively associated with better psychological well-being and quality of life among older adults. In addition, this review evinces that financial support from non-coresident adult children and extended family members to older adults relates to their better psychological well-being, self-rated health, and greater satisfaction with life. Despite our findings, so far, not much empirical work has been done on this topic in SSA. The findings are based on eight studies and suggest that more research, both quantitative and qualitative, needs to be undertaken to examine the relationship between family support provided and the health and well-being of older sub-Saharan Africans. In light of an ageing SSA population and poor resource context, sub-Saharan African governments must recognize the enormous support burden on families, raise awareness on the importance of family support, and promote interven tions that motivate families to meet the support needs of older persons. One way to achieve this is to pay allowances or grant tax reliefs to poor families who maintain an older person. Another way may involve using campaigns to promote family support towards older adults. For instance, campaigns that aim to encourage families to stay socially connected and to use social events such as festivals, marriage ceremonies, and naming ceremonies to ‘honour’ and to engage older members may benefit their well-being.