Grandchildren don’t just bring joy to family gatherings — they may also help keep grandparents’ minds sharp. A growing body of research now adds scientific weight to what many families already sense: staying involved in grandkids’ lives could be good for the aging brain.
According to a study published on Jan. 26 in the journal Psychology and Aging, seniors who spend time caring for their grandchildren tend to perform better on memory and language tests. The findings support the idea that Study Suggests Grandparenting Supports a Healthier Aging Brain, potentially acting as a protective buffer against age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers found that grandparents who provided childcare at any point during the previous year scored higher on measures of verbal ability and memory than those who did not. Interestingly, the benefits showed up regardless of how frequently grandparents helped out — suggesting that the act of caregiving itself may be more important than the number of hours spent.
The cognitive boost appeared especially strong among grandmothers. Women who took on caregiving roles experienced less decline over time on cognitive tests compared with those who were not involved in looking after grandchildren.
“What stood out most to us was that being a caregiving grandparent seemed to matter more for cognitive functioning than how often grandparents provided care or what exactly they did with their grandchildren,” said lead researcher Flavia Chereches, a doctoral student in psychology at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, in a news release.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team analyzed data from nearly 2,900 grandparents participating in a long-term English study of aging. With an average age of 67, participants completed surveys and cognitive assessments three times between 2016 and 2022.
They were asked whether they had cared for a grandchild in the past year, how often they provided care, and what activities they typically shared — from homework help to meal preparation.
“Many grandparents provide regular care for their grandchildren — care that supports families and society more broadly,” Chereches noted. “An open question, however, is whether caregiving for grandchildren may also benefit grandparents themselves.”
Which Activities Help the Brain Most?
While any caregiving seemed beneficial, certain activities were linked to slightly stronger cognitive gains. Grandparents who spent more time on leisure activities with their grandkids or helped frequently with homework tended to show better verbal and memory skills.
Similarly, routine tasks such as cooking meals or driving grandchildren to and from school were associated with stronger verbal fluency. These everyday interactions may provide mental stimulation, social engagement, and a sense of purpose — all factors known to support brain health.
The Bigger Picture
Researchers caution that more studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand why grandparenting appears to help cognitive health. Family dynamics may also play an important role.
“Providing care voluntarily, within a supportive family environment, may have different effects for grandparents than caregiving in a more stressful environment where they feel unsupported or feel that the caregiving is not voluntary or a burden,” Chereches explained.
Still, the takeaway is encouraging: staying connected, engaged, and involved in grandchildren’s lives may offer meaningful benefits for older adults — not just emotionally, but cognitively as well.
