NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Caring for grandchildren could slow down mental decline in older adults, according to a recent study published by the American Psychological Association.
Steve Doocy spoke to grandparents in Florida about the findings on “Fox & Friends” on Monday. Many of them described how staying active with their families keeps them mentally sharp.
“They’re always chasing them and doing things,” one grandmother noted. “Keeps your mind active.”
4 ANTI-AGING APPROACHES REVEALED IN 2025 THAT MAY HELP AMERICANS LIVE LONGER
The research, published in the journal Psychology and Aging, followed nearly 3,000 grandparents who averaged 67 years of age.
Those who provided childcare scored higher on memory and verbal fluency tests compared to those who didn’t, even after adjusting for age, health and other factors.
These benefits appeared regardless of how often the grandparents provided care or what specific activities they did.
Another grandmother in the Sunshine State shared that her grandchildren “are teaching me all the time,” noting that they often know more than she does during educational outings.
CREATIVE HOBBIES KEEP THE BRAIN YOUNG, STUDY FINDS — HERE ARE THE BEST ONES TO PURSUE
One grandfather told Doocy that the benefit comes from “being active” rather than “just sitting around.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Another Floridian grandparent mentioned that the role requires becoming “a kid again,” often involving physical play and responding to the children’s constant needs.
The interviews touched on the variety of roles that grandparents play, from providing discipline to offering treats.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Doocy also got a grandchild’s perspective. “Nana gives us lots of popsicles,” one child said when asked what grandma and grandpa did, that mom and dad didn’t.
However, the study also revealed that there are limits to the benefits of caregiving.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
The study’s lead researcher, Flavia Chereches of Tilburg University in the Netherlands, suggested that the environment matters, noting that voluntary care in a supportive family is different from a stressful or burdensome environment.
Doocy echoed this, stating that while caregiving is beneficial “up to a point,” being a primary caregiver “can lend itself to a lot of stress.”
“It’s always yes with your grandparents,” Lawrence Jones chimed in. “Your parents tell you no, but your grandparents always tell you yes. This is why we love them so much.”
Read the full article here
