Looking after grandchildren might be more than just a helpful act for the family—it could also protect the brain health of grandparents.
A new study from Tilburg University in the Netherlands, published by the American Psychological Association in the journal Psychology and Aging, found that older adults who help care for their grandkids may experience slower cognitive decline.
The study was led by Flavia Chereches and included nearly 2,900 grandparents over the age of 50, with an average age of 67. These participants were part of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging and were followed from 2016 to 2022. They completed surveys and took cognitive tests three times during this period.
The surveys asked whether the participants had helped care for a grandchild in the past year. The questions went into detail about the types of care they gave, such as babysitting overnight, helping with homework, playing games, driving grandchildren to activities, cooking meals, or caring for sick children.
After analyzing the data, researchers found that grandparents who provided any kind of care for their grandchildren scored better on tests that measured memory and verbal fluency compared to those who did not provide care. This result remained true even after accounting for age, general health, and other factors that could affect brain performance.
Interestingly, it didn’t matter how often the grandparents helped or what specific tasks they did. Just being involved in caring for their grandchildren seemed to have a positive impact on their brain health.
For grandmothers in particular, the study found that those who cared for grandchildren showed slower decline in their cognitive abilities over the six-year study period.
Flavia Chereches, the lead researcher, explained that what stood out the most was the act of caregiving itself—not the frequency or type of care. She said the positive effects on thinking and memory might come from simply being involved and feeling a sense of purpose and connection with family.
However, the study also raised an important point: the benefits may depend on the context. For example, caregiving might be more helpful when it is done voluntarily and in a supportive family environment. If caregiving feels forced or stressful, the effects on mental health could be different.
This research adds to growing evidence that staying socially and mentally active in older age can help protect against age-related memory problems. Activities that involve interaction, responsibility, and emotional engagement—like helping with grandchildren—may offer mental stimulation that keeps the brain working well.
While more studies are needed to confirm and better understand these findings, the results are promising. They suggest that something as simple as helping with grandkids could be one way to maintain cognitive health and well-being as people grow older.
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