The grandparent-grandchild relationship is one of the most amazing of human relationships. For a grandparent, spending time with grandchildren offers them an opportunity to love and play with someone new and enjoy the magic of a developing young mind. In addition to the thrill of giving words of wisdom and providing emotional support to grandchildren, grandparenting offers a wealth of health benefits.
Spending time with grandchildren may extend the lifespan of grandparents. According to the American Heart Association, grandparents who spend time watching their grandchildren at least one day per week may see the benefit of a longer lifespan, supported by the Berlin Aging Study. The study, which considered the data of 500 seniors, found that grandparents who babysat their grandchildren lived longer by 37 percent.
Another study found that watching grandchildren may help older adults experience improved cognitive development. It keeps grandparents mentally alert, enhancing their memory and capacity to reason and think critically. An Australian research added that babysitting may help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and offset dementia among grandparents.
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