People are living longer than ever before. The Mauritian population is steadily ageing. The elderly dependency ratio, 13 in 1997 is expected to rise to 36 by 2037. The family has traditionally been seen as assuming a primary care giving role for the elderly. This burden has, more often than not, fallen on women. However, the trend is for women to marry later and to have children later, usually working in a full time occupation. In addition they often find themselves caring for both their children and their elders at the same time, carefully balancing the concerns of their own immediate families, professional life and their responsibilities for elderly care-giving. At the same time as the proportion of older people in the population at large is increasing, the pool of available caregivers is shrinking. In addition, those adults now entering or approaching retirement were part of the generation that had fewer children, reducing the pool, as it were, of familial caregivers. Caring for the physical and emotional needs of an elderly is a complex task. Many factors have to be taken into account such as the degree of any disability, the economic situation and the living environment of the older person. As the personal abilities of an elderly person decrease there is a progression in the amount of personal care and attention that is needed. Without an immediate and adaptable support system the elderly person can become isolated and feel detached from family, friends and the wider community. A study carried out by DCDM, (June 2001), with funding from MRC made an assessment of the prospective role, contribution and needs of the elderly people of Mauritius by horizon 2010. However, the scope of that particular study was somewhat restrictive. The sample size was too small and the main focus was on people aged between 50 - 74 years old. Nowadays, many older persons may be living independently, or in households with younger members. It is crucial to capture the views and attitudes 14 of all of the players in understanding the desire and scope of the integration of the elderly in the family.