Grandparents who babysit remain mentally sharper, study finds

An American Psychological Association study of nearly 3,000 grandparents (average age 67) found those who provided childcare scored higher on memory and verbal fluency tests after adjusting for age and health.

Caring for grandchildren is linked to better performance on some cognitive tests, according to a recent article about an American Psychological Association study reported on Fox News. The research tracked nearly 3,000 grandparents with an average age of 67 and compared those who provided childcare with those who did not. Reported results showed higher scores on memory and verbal fluency tests among grandparents who offered care, even when analysts adjusted for age, health and other factors. Media interviews with grandparents in Florida described active family roles, such as play and outings, as part of their everyday routines. Key findings: - The study was published in the journal Psychology and Aging and included about 3,000 grandparents who averaged 67 years old. - Grandparents who provided childcare scored higher on memory and verbal fluency measures than those who did not, after adjusting for age, health and other variables. - Reported benefits appeared across different levels of caregiving frequency and types of activities. - The study’s lead researcher, Flavia Chereches of Tilburg University, noted that a supportive, voluntary caregiving environment differs from stressful or burdensome care, which may not produce the same effects. - Media interviews included grandparents’ and a grandchild’s perspectives about how caregiving fits into family life. Summary: The reported findings link grandparent caregiving with higher scores on certain cognitive tests in this study group, suggesting an association between active family roles and cognitive measures. Researchers emphasized that the family environment matters and that caregiving that is stressful may not yield the same results; Undetermined at this time.