Recent research has emphasized the continued vitality of the American family in providing assistance to its older members; studies of minorities usually report an especially high degree of this "instrumental" familism. Such results have persuaded public welfare officials, social gerontologists, and social work practitioners to look to the family as a source of health and welfare aid for the elderly. In this article, we argue that the conclusion may severely misinterpret research findings, particularly for the Black elderly, and may make life more difficult for groups already among the most deprived in our society. Reliance on the family may provoke policymakers to reduce formal support systems indispensable to the health and welfare of aged minority members. Practitioners should ensure that policy and programs correspond to the actual needs and functions of minority family systems.