Background: Chronic illnesses are the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Although, the global epidemics of chronic illnesses have been strongly linked to population ageing, elderly patients with functional families are known to have better chances of survival and better ability to recover from illness. This study was conducted to assess family functionality among elderly patients with chronic illnesses attending the General Outpatient Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 372 elderly patients selected by systematic sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical computer software package. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 69.7 ± 8.7 years, majority of them were females (52.4%), had no formal education (60.2%), and close to half of them (47.9%) earn <N235/day/head. Although, most of them lived with other family members (92.5%) in an extended family structure (77.4%), only about half of them (53.2%) had family support, while about two- thirds (59.0%) perceived their respective families to be functional. Perception of having a functional family was significantly associated (p<0.05) with being female, being a Muslim, living in extended family structure, having formal education, being employed, having family support and living with other family members. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for family physicians to involve family members in the care of the elderly to promote family functionality, and make advocacy to government for provision of free health and other welfare services for the elderly.