US EditionOne of the Benefits of Being an Active Grandparent? Slower Cognitive Decline
- On January 26, 2026, researchers published a study in Psychology and Aging showing caregiving grandparents scored higher on memory and verbal fluency tests than non-caregivers.
- Chereches and her colleagues examined data from 2,887 grandparents in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, all over age 50 with an average age 67, completing assessments three times between 2016 and 2022.
- The study found that rotating through diverse activities improved cognition, with helping with homework and playing or leisure activities linked to better memory and verbal fluency, while overnight stays and caring for sick grandchildren showed no association.
- The study found notable gender differences, with grandmothers who cared experiencing less cognitive decline, while grandfathers showed no slower decline; researchers caution causation is unproven due to selection bias and five-year timeframe.
- Given a 96% White British sample, Chereches cautioned that family context and voluntariness of care may influence outcomes, and more research is needed to replicate findings, she said.
23 Articles
23 Articles
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Grandparents who care for their grandchildren often perform better in memory and language tests. This suggests new study data. In the interview, psychologist Yvonne Brehmer explains what surprised them.
Most things that protect against cognitive degradation in old age are not much fun. However, one thing obviously helps immensely: grandchildren.
One of the benefits of being an active grandparent? Slower cognitive decline
A new study of grandparents found that those who take care of grandchildren score better on tests of memory and language, and decline more slowly, than those who do not. "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil called his mom for her reaction.
Taking care of grandchildren may help prevent memory decline
Taking care of grandchildren may help prevent cognitive decline, a new study says. Being involved matters more than how often grandparents provide care or the specific duties they carry out, researchers found.
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