Babysitting grandchildren could lower risk for Alzheimer's and Dementia

Here is another reason to visit the grandmothers regularly.

Simple Most reported that grandparents who babysit their grandchildren will likely stay away from dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Grandparents absolutely adore their grandchildren. The little ones can be quite the blessing and outside their pure cuteness, they could also be beneficial to their grandparents.

A journal of the North American Menopause Society published a research that found grandmothers who babysat once a week, score higher on cognitive tests than those who did not.

However, the same study revealed that grandparents who babysat five or more days per week scored lower on the same tests. This proved that like anything else, moderation is the key.

The study was conducted on 186 Australian women using various cognitive tests such as Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Training Test, and Tower of London.

The test results showed that those who babysat their grandchildren for one day in a week scored the highest.

There are quite a lot of other studies that show social interaction is a key component in seniors living a healthy lifestyle.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) said that there was a ‘strong correlation between social interaction and health and well-being among older adults.’

It warned against social isolation, saying that it may have significant adverse effects on the senior citizens.

The NIA noted that watching their grandchildren helps the grandparents to be more healthy and active.

Positive indicators of social well-being were associated with lower levels of interleukin-6, which is an inflammatory factor associated with age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.

Studies also show that grandparents feel that caring for their grandchildren makes them healthier as they experience a strong emotional bond.

They may also lead a more active lifestyle, eat healthier meals, and may even reduce or stop smoking.

Social isolation, on the other hand, is a major risk factor in older adults and it may have a physical as well as emotional impact. Those who are lonely frequently, have elevated systolic blood pressure.

It is also a risk factor for symptoms of depression and it has an adverse effect on well-being in older adults.