According to science grandparents who babysit their grandkids live longer...
- Publish Date
- Monday, 18 September 2017, 1:53PM
There's something so special about the relationship between grandparents and their grandkids.
So why not spend more quality time together - it could help the grandies live longer.
Yes, you read that right.
A new study has revealed grandparents who care for their grandchildren live significantly longer lives.
Looking at 20 years worth of data from over than 500 people aged 70 years and older, the research found that for those who provided some form of care to their grandchildren had a 37 percent lower risk of death, compared with those who did not.
“There is a link between providing this care and reducing stress and we know the relationship between stress and higher risk of dying,” said Dr. Ronan Factora, a Geriatric Medicine specialist. “If providing care to grandchildren and others in need is one way that can actually reduce stress, then these activities should be of benefit to folks who are grandparents and provide this care to their grandkids.”
The benefits also applied to seniors who provided care to children who were not their own blood.
Grandparents who were primary caregivers for grandchildren were not included in the study.