Caring For Grandkids May Protect Against Memory Loss
Caring for grandchildren may help protect older adults from cognitive decline, according to a recent investigation by researchers at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. They analyzed data from 2,887 grandparents over age 50 who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and completed cognitive tests between 2016 and 2022.
Grandparents who provided childcare — such as babysitting, helping with homework, playing, driving grandchildren, or caring for them when sick — scored higher on memory and verbal fluency tests than those who did not. These benefits remained even after accounting for age, health, and other factors, and didn’t depend on how often or what type of care was provided.
The study found that grandmothers who cared for grandchildren experienced less cognitive decline over time compared with those who didn’t provide care. The researchers suggest the cognitive benefits may come from the overall experience of being engaged in caregiving rather than the amount or intensity of care. They also note that family context likely matters, emphasizing that voluntary caregiving in a supportive environment may be beneficial, while stressful or burdensome caregiving could have different effects.
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