Babysitting Grandkids Might Be Good for Your Brain

Baby-Sitters Club: Keeping our brains sharp should be an aging priority. Exercising, reading, or spending time with family and social connections are great ways to do it. But new research points to a surprising activity that can also potentially protect brain health as we get older: babysitting grandchildren.  

The Study: Researchers analyzed data from 2,887 grandparents (with a mean age of 67). Between 2016 and 2022 participants took three cognitive tests and answered survey questions about whether they provided childcare for their grandchildren and what that care entailed. The participants who spent time with their grandkids fared far better on verbal fluency and memory tests than those who didn’t. The more involved they were, the higher their scores. Grandmothers experienced less cognitive decline than senior women without grandkids.

The Takeaway: Keeping up with kids requires physical and mental stamina and constant problem-solving (also patience). Babysitting provides plenty of stimulation — lots of talking, lots of reading, lots of physical activity, maybe some crafts or other creative work — all of which can strengthen and maintain cognitive function.

Keep in Mind: Not every grandparent lives close to their grandchildren or is able to care for them. Each family has to approach it differently.