Spending time with grandchildren may do more than bring joy; it could also add years to your life.
Studies show older adults who play an active role in their grandchildren’s lives live, on average, about five years longer. And those benefits go beyond just emotional connection.
Rhonda Daniels with the New Orleans Council on Aging says she sees the impact firsthand.
“When our clients feel like they’re part of a structure, that they’re needed and counted on, it gives them a real sense of purpose and belonging,” Daniels said.
That sense of responsibility, she says, can be powerful.“
Having tasks, being involved in the family, and knowing someone depends on you can make a big difference in how people feel day to day,” she said.
There are physical benefits as well.
“Keeping up with grandchildren, sometimes more than one, keeps people active,” Daniels said. “It gets the blood flowing and keeps them moving.”
She also says it’s time to rethink what it means to be a grandparent.
“We often picture grandparents as much older,” she said. “But many are in their 40s or 50s and are a central part of the family dynamic.”
That shift, Daniels says, is part of a larger conversation about how we view aging.
“We need to reshape the way we think about growing older,” she said. “Sometimes just believing in the possibility of staying active and engaged is powerful.”
For many, that mindset is tied to looking ahead to life’s biggest moments.
“Clients who set goals like being there for graduations, births, and other milestones often find a renewed sense of energy,” Daniels said. “It gives them something for which to keep going.”
Experts say staying connected, active, and engaged with the next generation may be one of the simplest, and most meaningful, ways to support both physical and emotional well-being over time.
