This study aims to inform policy that sustains the social networks of older people. Previous research shows that the availability of social networks improves the quality of life of older people. Nevertheless such an approach to social policy can have unintended effects. Informal and family based social care can contribute to the deterioration of the health of carers and disrupt their career. This implies that government must maintain a careful equilibrium between sustaining social network care and providing accessible care services that can work in partnership with these networks. This research will use multi-variate analysis of secondary data and comparative social policy analysis. A sub set of data will be taken from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) using respondents aged 50 and over from 18 countries that are members of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Analysis will explore patterns of social networks. Respondents' attitudes towards receiving care from within these networks will be compared. The interaction between family networks and other social networks will also be evaluated. The research will seek to identify national patterns within the 18 countries and to identify similar groups of countries.