Due to the pace of life that parents lead today, there are many grandparents who often take care of their grandchildren. They are a very important figure for children who feed on their teachings, while the elderly feel useful and active, and happy to share time with the little ones.
It must be an enjoyment for both of them, not an obligation, and of course it should not be strenuous for grandparents who are already an age and do not have the same energy as years ago. But according to a study conducted in Germany in recent decades, grandparents who care for their grandchildren occasionally live longer. Specifically, the risk of dying in the next 20 years is reduced by 37 percent.
Grandchildren do good to health
The research was carried out based on data from a longitudinal study in which more than 500 people between 70 and 100 years old participated in Berlin over two decades (between 1990 and 2009).
When tracking older people through interviews and medical controls, taking into account socioeconomic conditions, they observed that most of the grandparents who took care of their grandchildren were still alive many years after the first interview, while the group that did not have regular contact with them had a much higher mortality.
In Babies and more 'Generations': the most beautiful photos that celebrate the unconditional love between grandparents and grandchildrenAmong the group of grandparents who spent time with their grandchildren, health indicators were better. It is believed that they could release more oxytocin, known as "the love hormone", secreted at very high levels during childbirth and also during breastfeeding, related to affectivity.
According to the author of the study, "this link could be a deeply rooted mechanism in our evolutionary past when help with childcare was crucial for the survival of the human species."
Take care of them, in their right measure
In the same, previous studies indicated that taking care of grandchildren prevents cognitive deterioration, but provided that the time of care is controlled.
Sometimes, becoming the primary caregivers of grandchildren can be exhausting for grandparents, who also have every right to live their golden age as they wish without the care of grandchildren becoming an obligation.
On the other hand, not having contact with grandchildren is also negative for grandparents. Ideally, maintain frequent contact from which both parties benefit, no stress or stress for the elderly.
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