Data from a multi-stage quota sample which includes 528 respondents ag
ed 55 and over with at least one living sibling are used to examine in
strumental support (financial, help during illness, other) from siblin
gs, the perception of siblings as a source of supper? if needed (in a
crisis, long-term illness, coresidence), and the characteristics of re
spondents and their sibling networks associated with receiving help an
d perceiving help to be available. A minority of respondents have rece
ived sibling supper?, and a majority perceive siblings to be available
in a crisis. Those with two or more siblings are more likely to have
received help and to perceive siblings as available than those with on
e sibling. Significant differences by gender, marital status, parent s
tat us, and geographic proximity are discussed with reference to model
s of support, particularly the functional-specificity of relationships
model.