Many things change when a baby joins a family – and not only for parents. The newly struck grandparents often suffer their own transition. Suddenly, the trends in the sofa potato are replaced by many ramps on the ground, laughter and general stupidity.
Is having a little child sufficient to make a difference for the physical and mental health of an elderly person?
Indeed, medical experts support this transformation. “Being an involved, active, solidarity and narrative grandparent presents potential health benefits,” explains Dr. Maria Carney, geriatric and palliative medicine chief at Northwell Health and co-author of The aging revolution: the history of geriatric health care and what really matters to the elderly. Carney, who has taken care of the elderly for almost 30 years, notes that medical literature supports this belief, but it also has dozens of anecdotal stories of its practice. “What I have seen as key elements is to feel useful, stay active and have gratitude,” she says.
“Cross-culturally, people often say that becoming a grandparent can” keep you young “, which reflects the joy, energy and renewed meaning that grandchildren can bring in his life, especially in aging populations,” explains Dr. Kanramon Watthanasuntorn, Center’s medical director for better aging in St. Bernard in Chicago. Given that the elderly are often confronted with depression because they become more isolated at older age, grandchildren can act as a stamp: “Many grandparents have described themselves as more active, fun and committed to the world” after obtaining a little child, she says. The feeling of connection and the goal that comes from these relationships can help slow certain aspects of aging and support better global mental health and better quality of life.
Here’s how grandparents can positively affect your health, how to get the most out of this special relationship and how to take advantage of the similar advantages if you don’t have a little child in your family.
The grandchildren make you happy
“As a grandparent, you can point out that you feel better and happier,” said Dr. William Hung, professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine in Mont Sinai. Research shows that grandparents tend to have better self-depressed health, happiness and less solitude than their peers who have no grandchildren. Hung is not surprised: some of his patients are striking pride by speaking of their close relationship with their grandchildren. (Availability of warnings that some of these health benefits and others can be attenuated in more stressful situations, as in guardian grandparents.)
On the biological level, Watthanasuntorn explains that “the emotional commitment of interaction with grandchildren is more likely to release hormones of well-being, such as oxytocin and endorphins, which contributes to reducing stress and promoting happiness.” Feeling necessary is also a huge contributor to the satisfaction of life, she adds, so obtaining a renewed meaning from the objective can make you motivated to better maintain your health.
They make you move
In addition to stimulating your happiness, children make you move. “It could look like walking towards the park, playing games or just moving faster and more often,” said Watthanasuntorn. Research shows that the grandparents involved are more physically active and less sedentary than adults of a similar age that do not make this type of child care. Become more active “is associated with a longer lifespan and better health results,” she adds.
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This physical activity helps not only avoid excess weight and strengthen your bones and joints. It also contributes to improving mood, because one of the best treatments for depression is physical activity, says Carney.
They keep you sharp
“Interaction with its grandchildren often involves learning new things, adapting to new technologies and engaging in an imaginative game or problem solving,” explains Watthanasuntorn. Help with homework, read stories, play games and navigate the devices all have the brain and sharpen cognitive functions.
Research confirms this. Grandparents, especially women, tend to have a higher cognitive function compared to those who do not engage with grandchildren.
Of course, this is not the simple fact of becoming a grandparent that saves your brain, but the active effort that you have devoted to “continue to learn new activities, maintain schedules for yourself and others, play games and read others,” says Carney.
Grand-Parentalization provides a social outlet
Another way of having a little child can stimulate your health during your gold years is to deepen family ties and broaden your social support network.
“The social care system in the United States is a family system, which you call your family, so this social support network is vital for longevity and health at all ages,” explains Carney. This often leads to greater connection with the community too, she adds; Making new activities with a little child connects you to new organizations, people and neighbors, “who enriches his life”.
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The forging of these connections can also have a positive impact on the health of your brain. “Socialization with your children and grandchildren also means fewer opportunities to hear himself socially, which could otherwise lead to a neurological decline because the brain is less committed to longer periods,” explains Watthanasuntorn. Research shows that older adults who provided treatments to grandchildren had a lower risk of death over 20 years compared to those who have not done so-suggesting that the emotional and social commitment involved in grandparents can stimulate longevity, she said.
What if you don’t have grandchildren?
Elderly people without grandchildren can still enjoy certain advantages. Many health benefits associated with becoming grandparents are not even specific to children, but rather linked to increased physical activity and social commitment.
One way to get involved in the community is to seek local programs that encourage the intergenerational link, which promotes social connection, reduces loneliness and gives meaning to the objective. Vacuum as a mentor in a club after school, for example, tutor children in chess or help in the local library. You can even be able to volunteer in a postpartum unit of a hospital, where you can coo with newborns and share all the education ideas of children you have with new parents.
And don’t forget to look inside your own family. “If you have nieces or nephews or friends of close family with grandchildren, treat yourself to be a pseudo-large-Parent and assume the responsibilities that accompany the territory,” suggests Watthanasuntorn, such as babysitting and participation in family events.
Research systematically notes that older adults who maintain active and significant relationships with younger generations experience less loneliness and better mental health, even if these relationships are not with organic grandchildren, “said Watthanasuntorn.” The key is a regular and quality interaction and a feeling of being valued and necessary. “”
A last note on love and inheritance
Carney likes to remind his patients that grandparents are an opportunity to model healthy behavior for the next generation. A healthy diet, converse, walk in nature, watch educational television, play and teach games and read books that you enjoyed as a child can all benefit the child – and you.
“Share memories, recipes and family activities [that are] Important for you, “she says.” It is an opportunity to transmit family traditions. »»
