No more guilt about leaving the kids with Grandma! It turns out that her time spent with the little ones is doing wonders for her brain health—just ask any doctor.
A fascinating study conducted by medical professionals indicates that post-menopausal women who care for their grandchildren have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive issues. This remarkable research, published in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society, is bound to be shared by parents discussing another weekend at Grandma’s.
So, how did we stumble upon this enlightening information? Thanks to the Women’s Healthy Aging Project in Australia, which assessed 186 post-menopausal women—most of whom were grandmothers—using three different cognitive tests. The findings revealed that those who babysat at least once a week scored higher on these assessments.
You might be thinking, “What will I do with all this newfound time thanks to Grandma’s babysitting?” You could leisurely wander through Target, dive into that spin class you’ve been meaning to try, or catch up on the latest drama in your favorite shows. However, there’s a catch: it seems that if Grandma spends five or more days a week with the kids, her cognitive scores begin to drop. So, your kids might drive her just as batty as they do you if she’s overwhelmed.
Grandmas are individuals too, and they don’t enjoy being treated like unpaid, on-call caregivers. The study also found that those grandmothers who felt their own children were demanding too much of their time experienced a dip in mood, which adversely affected their brain function. Remember, the key to keeping Grandma happy and healthy is to find a balance with babysitting, ensuring it’s enjoyable and not too taxing.
If this compelling research doesn’t persuade her to take on a few babysitting shifts, consider another study showing that older adults lacking close family connections face a 26 percent higher risk of mortality over a seven-year period. Who wouldn’t want to hear that “we’re helping keep you alive” when trying to convince Grandma to take the kids for a day?
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In summary, Grandma’s babysitting is not just a break for parents but a boon for her cognitive health—just be mindful of how often she’s on duty to keep her spirits high.