Many Americans preparing for the holidays highlight the significance of grandchildren in grandparents’ lives, as revealed by a recent poll. This poll suggests a potential link between having grandchildren and improved mental health and reduced loneliness in older adults. While it doesn’t show causation, these findings emphasize the need to explore grandparenting’s role in combating social isolation among seniors. The poll also indicates that many grandparents support their grandchildren financially and through childcare.
The data originates from the National Poll on Healthy Aging at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, backed by AARP and Michigan Medicine. It reveals that 60% of adults aged 50 and over have grandchildren, including step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Among those, 27% have five or more grandchildren. Older adults over 65 are more likely to have grandchildren compared to those in their 50s and early 60s, at 76% versus 46%.
The poll shows people with grandchildren rarely feel isolated, with 72% reporting low isolation compared to 62% without grandchildren. Additionally, 13% of those without grandchildren report fair or poor mental health, versus 9% of those with grandchildren. “For many older people, becoming a grandparent is a major milestone in their lives,” said Kate Bauer, Ph.D. Health professionals are encouraged to inquire about older patients’ involvement with grandchildren, especially for those facing loneliness or depression, according to poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Caring for children
Nearly half of grandparents with grandchildren under 18 provide care regularly, with 20% doing so weekly and 8% daily. Hispanic grandparents are more likely to provide daily care compared to non-Hispanic white or Black counterparts. Given the high childcare costs in the U.S., grandparents offering regular care are a valuable resource.
Seeing grandchildren
The poll reports 18% of grandparents see their grandchildren daily, while 23% see them weekly and 23% monthly. Frequent visits correlate with lower feelings of isolation, as 78% of those seeing grandchildren daily report low isolation compared to 65% seeing them infrequently. Similarly, 73% of weekly visitors report low isolation.
Engaging in food-related activities is common among grandparents, with 61% sharing meals and 36% cooking together. Bauer emphasizes the cultural significance of such activities. Financially, 32% of older adults support grandchildren, aiding with expenses like clothing and education.
Living with grandchildren
Six percent of grandparents live with at least one grandchild, with higher rates among Black and Hispanic older adults. Grandparents in their 50s and early 60s are more likely to have primary custody of grandchildren than those over 65. Bauer highlights the critical support grandparents provide, forming “grandfamilies” during challenging times.
Michigan findings
In Michigan, 63% of adults over 50 have grandchildren, with higher rates in northern regions. Black Michiganders report higher rates of daily grandchild care. The national survey by NORC at the University of Chicago included 3,486 adults aged 50-94, with results weighted to reflect U.S. and Michigan demographics.
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