Ann Arbor Times

As families prepare for holiday gatherings, a University of Michigan poll highlights the significant role grandchildren play in the lives of their grandparents. The poll indicates that regular interaction with grandchildren may positively influence older adults' mental health and reduce feelings of loneliness, although it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

The National Poll on Healthy Aging, conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and supported by AARP and Michigan Medicine, found that 60% of adults aged 50 and over have at least one grandchild. Among these, 27% reported having five or more grandchildren. The likelihood of having grandchildren increases with age; 76% of those over 65 have grandchildren compared to 46% of those in their 50s and early 60s.

"People with at least one grandchild were more likely than those without grandkids to say they hardly ever feel isolated," said Kate Bauer, associate professor at the U-M School of Public Health. "For many older people, becoming a grandparent is a major milestone in their lives."

Poll director Jeffrey Kullgren emphasized that healthcare providers should inquire about their patients' involvement with grandchildren as part of addressing loneliness or depression among older adults.

Nearly half (49%) of grandparents provide care for their under-18 grandchildren at least once every few months. Of these, 20% offer weekly care, while 8% do so daily. Hispanic grandparents are particularly active in caregiving roles compared to non-Hispanic white and Black grandparents.

Bauer noted the importance of food-related activities shared between grandparents and grandchildren: "Eating, and especially cooking, with grandchildren can be an opportunity for older adults to make important social and cultural connections."

Financial support is another area where grandparents contribute significantly; nearly one-third provide financial assistance for day-to-day expenses or educational costs.

The poll also explored regional differences within Michigan, finding variations in grandparenting roles across different demographics. For instance, Black Michigan residents reported higher rates of daily care for grandchildren compared to white residents.

Overall, the survey underscores the multifaceted contributions grandparents make to family dynamics while highlighting potential benefits for older adults' well-being through active engagement with younger generations.