- What if being a grandparent could help you live longer?
- According to new research, it’s possible.
- Below, experts explain how.
There’s a lot of talk about activities that could possibly lower your brain age. Did you know that being a grandparent could be one of them? Specifically, if you’re a grandparent who occasionally helps care for the little tikes in your life, you both could benefit from the quality time in more ways than one—you, in the way of a sharper mind and a potentially longer life.
Meet the Experts: MaryEllen Eller, M.D., a psychiatrist at Radial; and Deborah Gilman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist with Fox Chapel Psychological Services.
A study published in Psychology and Aging looked into this scenario and found that older adults who help care for their grandchildren (but don’t raise them full-time) show better cognitive functioning with age than those who don’t. “We tend to think about brain health in terms of puzzles, exercise, or eating the right foods,” says MaryEllen Eller, M.D., a psychiatrist at Radial. “But growing research is pointing to something just as powerful—connection.”
She adds: “To break the results down even further, grandmothers who played active caregiving roles showed less cognitive decline over time than any other group studied. Both grandmothers and grandfathers involved in caregiving also demonstrated stronger verbal fluency and memory.”
Below, experts further explain the findings and how they were discovered.
How was the study conducted?
Researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS)—a nationally representative longitudinal panel study of U.S. adults aged 50 and older that surveys participants every two years to collect data on health, cognition, family structure, caregiving, income, and more.
From the study, they pulled a sample of 2,364 adults over 50—controlling for age, gender, race, education, marital status, employment and financial status, and depression—who were cognitively healthy and reported whether or not they provided non-custodial (meaning non-parental) care to their grandkids. They were then followed over a 12-year period and their cognitive functioning was assessed using several standardized tasks, including immediate and delayed word recall, subtraction, backwards counting, object naming, and other mental status-related questions.
These analyses aimed to fairly assess changes in cognitive performance over time and whether or not grandparenting altered the results. “Spoiler: it did—but only among those who were lightly involved,” says Deborah Gilman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist with Fox Chapel Psychological Services. “More intensive or custodial caregiving was associated with steeper decline, probably [due to] chronic stress.”
How grandparenting improves lifespan
“Keeping up with toddlers is a full-body cognitive workout,” says Gilman. “There’s planning, problem-solving, social navigation, and emotional regulation.” The interactions demand that grandparents “stay mentally flexible, responsive, and creative,” she adds, “which is exactly the kind of stimulation aging brains thrive on.” The interactions typically also work on memory and impulse control, areas that tend to decline with age, Gilman explains.
In general, social engagement is a known protector against dementia and cognitive decline. “One study even found that older adults with high social integration had memory function equivalent to someone 7.5 years younger,” says Gilman. So it makes sense that you add in the unpredictability of a child and get yourself a “real brain-boosting cocktail,” as she puts it.
Physical activity also sneaks in, Gilman notes, such as walking to the park or bending down to tie a shoe. “These activities increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes neural plasticity,” she says.
In short, it all comes down to social connectedness, a sense of purpose, lower stress levels, and regular engagement in daily tasks. “”Light caregiving is associated with lower levels of inflammation and stress hormones like cortisol, which are otherwise linked to age-related disease and early death. So in a way, grandparenting might be a stress vaccine—provided it’s the right dose,” says Gilman.
There is an important caveat to note, though, especially for those who aren’t grandparents: “The study couldn’t pinpoint which specific activities were most beneficial, or how much time is the ‘right’ amount,” says Dr. Eller. “It also couldn’t say for sure whether the benefit comes from caring for grandchildren specifically or from the quality of social connection that caregiving provides.”
That means you may not necessarily need to be a grandparent to reap the benefits of one. “Meaningful relationships—mentoring, volunteering, staying socially engaged—can offer similar protection for the brain,” says Dr. Eller. “The common thread isn’t biology. It’s connection.”
How to stay mentally engaged for longevity—with or without grandchildren
“Of all the things you can do to protect your brain and body, the most important thing: social connection through positive relationships,” says Gilman.
As Dr. Eller puts it, purpose doesn’t retire with an empty nest or an ended career. It’s important to find it in new forms over time. “Later in life, it may show up through mentorship, presence, and connection—especially with younger generations,” she notes. If it’s not through grandparenting, Gilman recommends trying volunteering in local intergenerational programs, offering to be a tutor, pet-sitting, or joining peer-support groups.
“When we have relationships that matter, we’re more likely to stay mentally active, emotionally grounded, and engaged with life,” says Dr. Eller. “Those conversations, shared experiences, and moments of purpose help keep our brains healthy—and our lives richer.”
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