As the holiday season approaches, a compelling poll highlights the critical role grandchildren play in the lives of American grandparents. It indicates a potential link between regular interaction with grandchildren and improved mental health in older adults, reducing the risk of loneliness. While the poll doesn’t establish cause and effect, it emphasizes the need for further study on grandparenting in combating social isolation. Many grandparents provide substantial support to their grandchildren under 18, covering expenses or providing regular childcare.
The data stems from the National Poll on Healthy Aging at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, backed by AARP and Michigan Medicine. The poll reveals that 60% of adults over 50 have at least one grandchild, with 27% having five or more. Those over 65 are more likely to have grandchildren than those in their 50s and early 60s. Grandparents reported feeling less isolated than those without grandchildren, with 72% saying they hardly ever feel lonely.
Older adults who care for grandchildren under 18 do so frequently, with 20% providing care weekly and 8% daily. Hispanic grandparents are the most likely to offer daily care. High childcare costs in the U.S. underscore the value of grandparent-provided care. Seeing grandchildren regularly also reduces feelings of isolation, with 78% of grandparents who see their grandchildren daily reporting minimal isolation compared to 65% of those who see them less frequently.
Food-related activities provide another bonding opportunity. About 61% of grandparents shared meals with grandchildren, 47% cooked for them, and 36% cooked with them in the past month. Such interactions allow grandparents to pass down cultural and nutritional knowledge. Financial support is another facet of grandparenting, with 32% of older adults providing financial assistance, covering daily expenses, educational costs, and other significant expenses.
Among grandparents, 6% live with a grandchild, with higher percentages among Black and Hispanic older adults and those aged 50 to 64. A portion of grandparents also hold primary custody of grandchildren. Further exploration into these “grandfamilies” is necessary to understand their impact. In Michigan, grandparenting patterns mirror national trends, with some regional variances in caregiving and grandparent-grandchild interaction frequency.
The survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago included responses from 3,486 adults aged 50-94, reflecting national and Michigan demographics. Sign up for Health Lab newsletters for expert medical insights and Health Lab Podcast for engaging discussions.
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