Many grandparents already know how great it feels to spend time with their grandchildren. Now there’s science to prove that a close grandparent-grandchild bond can have many health benefits.
The Women’s Healthy Aging Project in Australia observed 186 grandmothers’ relationships with grandchildren and found something awesome.
The grandmothers who cared for their grandchildren at least one day a week lowered their risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. That time together also staves off social isolation, which can cause depression and early death.
A 2013 study from Boston College’s Institute of Aging also showed that the grandparent-grandchild relationship is good for the grandkids too.
“We found that an emotionally close grandparent-adult grandchild relationship was associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations,” said Assistant Sociology Professor Sarah Moorman, who conducted the 2013 using data from a survey of 376 grandparents and 340 grandkids over the course of 19 years. “The greater emotional support grandparents and adult grandchildren received from one another, the better their psychological health,” said Moorman.
Have a happy, healthy Grandparents’ Day!
