Being a grandparent may help preserve brain and memory, study suggests

A study of 2,887 grandparents in England using ELSA data found those who provided care scored higher on memory and verbal fluency tests, and grandmothers showed less cognitive decline between 2016 and 2022.

Researchers analysing data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) report that grandparents who provided care for grandchildren tended to show better cognitive functioning than those who did not. The analysis included 2,887 grandparents who completed surveys and cognitive tests three times between 2016 and 2022. Tests measured verbal fluency (naming animals in one minute) and memory (immediate and delayed recall of a 10-word list). The study, published in Psychology and Aging, noted stronger effects for grandmothers, who typically provided more care. Key findings: - Grandparents who provided childcare scored higher on tests of both memory and verbal fluency compared with non-caregiving grandparents. - Grandmothers providing care showed a slowing in cognitive decline over the study period. - The association with cognitive functioning did not appear to depend on how often care was provided or on the specific childcare activities reported. - Grandparents with higher initial cognitive levels were more likely to take part in specific activities, such as helping with homework, and in a wider variety of tasks. - The survey collected details on types of care, including overnight stays, caring when grandchildren were ill, playing, transporting them, and preparing meals. Summary: The study links involvement in grandchild caregiving with higher measured cognitive performance among older adults in England and identifies a clearer pattern for grandmothers. Researchers say more work is needed to replicate these findings and to examine family context, including whether caregiving is voluntary or experienced as a burden. Further study of these factors is the next step.