Modern seniors spend a lot of time with their grandchildren, much of it caring for them, which may benefit grandparents in unique ways.  

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, 8% of grandparents provide care for their grandchildren daily or nearly daily. One in five grandparents reports caring for one or more grandchildren at least once a week. 

Though it can be a tall order for grandparents to care for their grandchildren, the time they spend with their grandchildren can offer unique benefits. The National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 72% of people with grandchildren reported they rarely feel isolated, compared with 62% of those without grandchildren. The poll also found that 13% of seniors without grandchildren reported their mental health was fair or poor, while just 9% of seniors with grandchildren described their mental health that way. 

Grandparents spending ample time with their grandchildren may also help strengthen social and cultural connections between them and their grandkids. The healthy aging poll found that slightly more than 6 in 10 grandparents reported sharing at least one meal with a grandchild or grandchildren in the previous month, and nearly half reported preparing food for them. In addition, 36% of grandparents reported baking or cooking with their grandkids in the previous month. One researcher who worked with the team behind the poll noted that eating and cooking with grandchildren offers grandparents an opportunity to pass down knowledge and recipes to younger generations.
Caring for grandchildren can be a significant challenge for grandparents. However, seniors who provide this kind of care can gain in special and meaningful ways.