According to a study published in Psychology and Aging, caring for grandchildren is associated with better cognitive performance in older adults, particularly among women. The results add to the growing evidence that cognitively and physically engaging activities in later life may help maintain cognitive reserve, although excessive caregiving stress could negate these potential benefits.

Researchers have found that both grandmothers and grandfathers who provide care show higher verbal fluency and episodic memory than matched non-caregivers. However, longitudinal analyses revealed slower cognitive decline only among grandmothers.

For clinicians, these results contribute to an expanding body of literature suggesting that sustained mental and social engagement may influence the cognitive trajectories of aging populations.

Cognitive Gains

Earlier studies have linked more frequent grandchild care to improved mental health and slower cognitive decline among older adults. The current analysis revealed that specific caregiving activities, such as shared leisure time, assisting with homework, and participating in a wider variety of activities, were associated with cognitive benefits. Researchers have also examined the differences between men and women.

Grandfathers with higher baseline cognitive performance were more likely to participate in specific caregiving activities and engage in a broader range of tasks. These findings suggest an association between caregiving and cognition, while raising questions about whether the frequency and type of engagement differentially affect cognitive trajectories in men and women.

Clinical Context

Speaking with El Médico Interactivo, part of the Medscape Professional Network, Teresa Moreno Ramos, MD, PhD, head of Clínica Neuromed, a multidisciplinary medical center specializing in neurology, in Madrid, Spain, noted that some studies suggest that caring for grandchildren may benefit grandparents’ cognitive function.

However, she cautioned that caregiving responsibilities could be stressful and burdensome for older adults.

“In this study, both grandmothers and grandfathers who provided care demonstrated higher verbal fluency and episodic memory than non-caregivers, but only caregiving grandmothers experienced slower decline over time,” Moreno said.

She emphasized the clinical relevance of these observations, noting that both cognitive and physical activities can support memory and other aspects of brain function in older adults. Caring for grandchildren incorporates both elements, she said, “combining physical engagement with cognitively stimulating tasks such as storytelling, reading, and assisting with schoolwork.”

Gender Differences

Sex disparities in the findings may reflect the longstanding caregiving patterns. “Prior literature suggests that grandmothers provide more frequent care than grandfathers, and in the current generation caregiving responsibilities continue to fall predominantly on women,” Moreno said.

Among women, caregivers exhibited higher baseline cognitive performance and slower decline in episodic memory and verbal fluency than non-caregiving peers. Grandfathers also showed higher cognitive performance than non-caregivers but did not demonstrate a slower decline over time.

Educational Factors

These results support the hypothesis that grandchild care contributes to cognitive reserve. Grandparents with higher initial cognitive performance tended to engage in a wider variety of caregiving activities, ranging from educational support to shared leisure activities. Although socioeconomic status was not examined in detail, the diversity of caregiving tasks appeared to interact with the educational level in shaping cognitive outcomes.

Moreno cautioned that potential benefits may diminish if caregiving becomes a source of stress. “When caregiving is experienced as stressful,” she said, “it may be counterproductive rather than protective.”

Moreno reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.

This story was translated from El Medico Interactivo.