If you’re a parent, you’ll understand the benefits of being able to rely on grandparents for childcare. It offers immediate peace of mind knowing your child is being looked after by a trusted family member, and it can significantly reduce childcare expenses.
However, there could now be an added benefit for grandparents.
Brain boost for grandparents
According to new research, grandparents who regularly care for their grandchildren may be protecting themselves from cognitive decline.
The study published in the journal Psychology and Aging found that caregiving grandmothers and grandfathers had better cognitive functioning than non-caregiving grandparents.
Chereches and her colleagues examined data from 2,887 grandparents aged 50 and older, with a mean age of 67, who took part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants answered survey questions and completed cognitive tests three times between 2016 and 2022.
Better outcomes for grandmothers
Research indicates that grandmothers experience a slower decline in cognitive function over time compared to others. Grandfathers, meanwhile, exhibited better overall cognitive functioning, but their rates of decline in memory and verbal fluency were similar to those of non-caregiving grandfathers.
Cross-training helps the brain
Interestingly, it wasn’t the amount of time spent caring for grandchildren, but the variety of activities they shared that was linked to stronger cognitive functioning.
Undertaking a wider range of tasks, such as helping with homework, baking, and engaging in leisure activities, improved cognitive outcomes for grandparents more than repeating the same activity.
Carlson et al. (2012) suggested that performing a larger variety of activities may be likened to “cross-training”, where one exercises multiple skills instead of repeatedly performing a single activity.
“Use it or lose it”
Hultsch et al. (1999) refer to the commonly used phrase “use it or lose it”.
This theory of cognitive ageing suggests that engaging in intellectually stimulating activities can help safeguard against cognitive decline.
Tasks like building complex structures with grandchildren or putting train sets together require mental flexibility and problem-solving skills, which give the brain a cognitive boost.
Reduce the risk of developing dementia
Another encouraging benefit from the study, as revealed by Choi et al. (2024), is that grandparenting links to a reduced risk of developing dementia.
Once again, the outcome varied by gender. Grandmothers required only light caregiving, whereas grandfathers needed more intense caregiving to gain cognitive benefits.
Staying socially and physically active
Promisingly, this finding supports the research from Alzheimer’s UK, which identifies key lifestyle choices that can help to reduce the risk of dementia.
In particular, two benefits – staying mentally well and socially active – align with the study from Psychology and Aging.
Alzheimer’s Research found that social engagement is key to relieving stress and improving mood, and spending time with grandchildren is certainly a great way to achieve this.
Staying physically active is another important factor identified by Alzheimer’s Research to help lower the risk of dementia.
Anyone looking after young children will know how physically demanding caregiving can be.
Whether you’re carrying a baby, pushing a buggy to the park, or playing outside with toddlers, it’s certainly going to be a good workout for the heart, boost circulation, and improve mental wellbeing, all of which support cognitive health.
A win-win for the whole family
So, taking care of grandchildren not only helps grandparents stay socially and physically active but also boosts their cognitive health.
While parents benefit from the peace of mind of trusted childcare, grandparents are reaping the rewards for their minds and bodies, too.
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