Primary groups such as relatives, neighbors and friends are a source of support that health care providers overlook. We present a theoretical framework which suggests primary groups can help prevent the misuse of prescription medicine. Kin are especially helpful in assisting elderly to take medications on a long-term basis where the regimens are fairly simple. It may also be especially important to engage kin in helping the older minority woman to understand the doctor. Even at a distance, kin may be able to provide such assistance and should not be discounted as a resource. Neighbors can be helpful in getting a medicine needed unexpectedly and might assist with relatively complex routines that last for only a brief period. Friends who have had similar experiences are especially helpful when the medicine is prescribed on an as needed basis by teaching the client how to judge when a dose is needed.
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