Grandparents who babysit grandchildren are likely to live longer, study reveals

October 29, 2018 | by Daphne Buenaflor

A 2017 study showed that grandparents who spend time babysitting children are likely to have a longer lifespan.

The data in the Berlin Aging Study revealed such as 500 seniors participated to confirm that spending time with younger kids can extend their lives significantly.

In fact, the study, which was published in “Evolution and Human Behavior,” made it clear that it didn’t matter if it was the seniors’ grandchildren or not.

Caring and giving quality time for children gave them a lower risk of death over a two-decade timeframe compared to those seniors who did not babysit.

Seventy percent of grandparents feel undervalued and taken advantage of by their grown-up children who expect them to take care of their kids. Can you blame them if they don't agree to babysit? What if you promise them a rate of £8 an hour? Is granny a grump if she declines? pic.twitter.com/QoeuTRLLvR
— Jeremy Vine On 5 (@JeremyVineOn5) February 21, 2018

Speaking with ABC7 News, Ronan Factora, MD of the Cleveland Clinic, who was not part of the study, said, “We know that as you age, you want to stay physically active; you want to stay socially engaged; you want to be cognitively stimulated; and all those things allow you to age well.”

As it turns out, babysitting children helps in keeping the seniors physically active. In addition, children help relieve stress for them.

What do you expect of grandparents who babysit? Grandma sends granddaughter home with $475 invoice: https://t.co/1GjhXLixVx pic.twitter.com/KMwbsMCvRB
— The Social (@TheSocialCTV) August 9, 2017

Although, the study clarified that too much babysitting could pose health risks to the grandparents. Instead of enjoying the health benefits that go with taking care of young kids, they could put their health in danger if they overdo it.

Grandparents who babysit live longer, study says https://t.co/WJDUSwIrMe pic.twitter.com/MzgitNhNQB
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) September 13, 2017

"You want to make sure that you find that right balance where you are doing what you can to stay active, doing good for the folks that you're helping out with, but don't do too much where you get to the point where you're overly stressed," Dr. Factora explained.

For those lucky enough with grandparents to babysit and help with childcare, do you pay them, as you would a nursery, au pair and nanny? @FastCompany https://t.co/tFeQcyEYl5 pic.twitter.com/cj6gEwxT40
— Creche and Co (@crecheandco) October 25, 2018

Still, babysitting is worth a try for grandparents. They just have to make sure that they are aware of their limits. Plus, social interaction that goes with babysitting is another benefit since it keeps the brain healthy.

As for the grandchildren, having quality time with their grandparents brings them extra stability, as well as emotional support.

We love Thursday’s because we get to babysit Ada while Mommy and Daddy are at praise team practice! #Grandparents pic.twitter.com/CfnMFKJpRM
— Kevin Cummings (@pastorkevin4) April 27, 2018

Meanwhile, another study revealed what keeps grandparents and grandchildren close. According to the researchers, six factors influence the concept that they call “intergenerational solidarity.”

Those six factors are physical proximity, the frequency of contact, grandparents’ function within the family, the concept of normalcy, emotional bonding, and reaching a consensus on values.