How you can help your grandparents age well, says researcher—it could benefit your well-being too
Being an involved grandparent is associated with positive health outcomes like a lower risk of mortality. Here's how it can benefit the entire family tree.
TL;DR
- Maintaining positive relationships and social connections, like those with grandchildren, promotes physical well-being and longevity in older adults.
- Supplementary caregiving and regular contact with grandchildren are associated with positive health outcomes for grandparents, such as a lower risk of dementia, greater mobility, and a lower risk of mortality.
- Grandparents involved in supplementary caregiving show higher levels of verbal fluency and episodic memory compared to those not involved.
- Caregiving grandmothers experience slower cognitive decline than non-caregiving grandmothers.
- Grandparenting can be a way to stay physically active and engaged cognitively, contributing to healthy aging.
- While primary sole caregiving can negatively impact grandparents' health, supplementary caregiving offers benefits.
- Close relationships with family, like those maintained by centenarian Natalie Groeger, are cherished and contribute to a sense of pride and joy.