Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Friday 26 April |
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Aleteia logo
Lifestyle
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Babysitting can decrease grandparents’ risk of dementia

GRANDMA,CHILD,PLAY

Shutterstock

Sophia Swinford - published on 07/24/17

Caring for grandchildren may help keep senior citizens healthier for longer.

A loving, involved grandparent can be a gift to everyone in the family — including when a parent can call on them to come help with the kids!

Turns out grandparents benefit enormously from this, too. A recent study published by the North American Menopause Society has shown that grandparents who babysit their grandchildren once a week scored higher on cognitive tests compared to those who didn’t.


Alzheimer Mother

Read more:
Daughter shares pregnancy news with mom suffering from Alzheimer’s — over and over again (VIDEO)

Interestingly enough, though, the same study also found that grandparents who babysat five times or more per week scored lower on cognitive tests.

In the past, studies have shown that socializing is an important factor in maintaining cognition, which is key to delaying the onset of dementia, but this is the first study to look directly at the role of being a grandparent.

So, go ahead, send your kids to their grandparents for a day. You’re doing them both a favor!

Tags:
FamilyHealth and Wellness
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.