We scrutinize popular images of weakened and thinner family ties of older Swedes. We use older and more recent population data, and show that today few older persons live together with children, but more of them live with a partner, more of them have children, and more older persons have children who live near, than before. In further contrast to common ideas, few older persons are isolated, and few feel lonesome, on average, and over time. Family caregiving is increasing in Sweden and many caregivers are aged themselves. Internationally unique, proportionally fewer older Swedes now live alone than before, 40 % in the 1980s, 33 % today.