Have you seen that saccharine-sweet photo of the smiling grandma sandwiched between two small children? It’s been all over Facebook lately, usually titled “Grandparents Who Babysit Less Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s.” That particular photo was clipped from a blog post on http://www.thealzheimerssite.com but it has recently disappeared from the site.
However, there are many other summaries of the Australian research that caused that riffle of interest. Here’s a link to one:
http://www.alzheimers.net/8-1-14-babysitting-grandkids-alzheimers
In brief, a very small study, only 180 postmenopausal women. The results were that those participants who cared for their grandchildren one day a week appeared to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders. However, those that spent five days a week or more caring for little ones may have a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders. In other words, non-age related senility.
Attractive as these findings are, there are all kinds of problems with this study, least of all its size. We tend to self-select whether or not we take on the important responsibility of caring for our grandchildren, and our age, our health, even our income may come into that decision. Clearly that could influence the findings. Caring for an infant for several hours is more tiring than picking up a seven year old from school and taking him home for snack and a game of checkers. And which is more stimulating to the caregiver’s brain? That’s not entirely clear to me.
However, as anyone who cares for one or more grandchild on a regular basis will tell you, there are many rewards, and one may be the desire to stay fit, healthy, and alert, which certainly could lead to better health. (Thus the many arthritis drug commercials alluding that fact). I look forward to the days that my granddaughter comes to my house to play – twice a week for four hours – and I can confirm that she stimulates my brain, as well as my body. It’s good for me, and I enjoy it. But is it that way for everyone?
I found a comprehensive review of research regarding the impact of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ health on the National Institutes of Health web site. A quick reading reveals that in most cases the advantages to grandparents, to the grandchildren and their parents, and to society as a whole, outweigh the disadvantages. But preventing Alzheimers? There is no mention of that.
Here’s a link to that article:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562755/
Do you care for your grandchild/grandchildren? Have you ever done so? How do you feel about the experience? Let’s talk about it.
Post your comments below.
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I really don’t want my grandkids around for more than a few hours. They’re tedious and taxing. The best part is when they go home.
I’m so sorry you feel that way. Marlene
I love my grandchildren but also have my own life, I do babysit when it suits but surely spending quality time with your grandchildren is just as rewarding and stimulating. I try and arrange play dates and love playing with them. I feel this is far better than being run ragged once per week babysitting.
Shona,
Thank you for your wise words. Regular babysitting is not for everyone, and I absolutely agree with you that spending quality time with your grandchildren can be just as rewarding and stimulating. I just returned from two weeks in Greece, during which time I broke a bone in my lower leg in two places. Now sporting a bright purple cast, I had to give my daughter and granddaughter the news that I won’t be able to drive for at least two months, thus not able to pick up my granddaughter from preschool or help ferry her around to summer activities. Right away my granddaughter (not her mother, mind you) asked if that meant she wouldn’t be able to visit me any more. I assured her that wasn’t the case and she immediately lobbied for a “sleepover” that very night. Being awakened by a cheerful five year old this morning with an offer to “help” me make pancakes and feed the fish in my pond was a delight, and for several hours I forgot to feel sorry for myself about my limited mobility.
I’m a parent of a toddler with a mother with diagnosed early on set dementia. Very early dementia -mild forgetfulness and moments that may be warped perceptions/ memories or just her lifelong normal selective memory. My mother (with my father’s support) keeps pushing to spend time unsupervised with toddler. Am I out of my mind for saying no? She is now sharing this article you mention on Facebook. My brother lets her babysit his same aged child.
Kelly,
If you read all the way to the end of my post you realize that I did not find any evidence that taking care of one’s grandchildren will actually prevent dementia. Clearly, when dementia already exists taking care of grandchildren will not cure the condition. I support your desire to keep your toddler safe, and suggest that you offer the alternative of get-togethers with your mother where she can play with your child under your supervision. Good luck! Marlene
i spent 5 days caring for my 1.5 yearold grandson this past year, just during the day while his mom worked and dad was out of town. I was amazed at how tired I got…it took me 2 days before I finally asked my daughter to watch him one night so that I could take a shower! It was very time consuming, more than I had remembered with my own. But I loved every minute and was inthrawled in his little discoveries of the world. I spent most of the time being “in the moment”, something I don’t always do in adult life. It was the best 5 days of my life!
Carrie — Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience. I also have found that I spend much more time in the moment when I am with my granddaughter than I am the rest of the week. Exhausting, yes. But worth it, right? Marlene