The importance of grandparents to their grandchildren is evident through the many benefits both receive when forming strong bonds.
As the old adage goes, “What happens at Grandma’s stays at Grandma’s!” Being a grandparent just might be one of life’s greatest joys – a chance to experience once more the delight of spending quality time and doting on the children in your life; only this time around, they are your children’s children, so the relationships are that much sweeter.
Grandparents Day is September 13 and it is an ideal time to reflect on the importance of grandparents to their grandchildren, and the countless emotional benefits grandchildren receive when they can forge a strong bond with their grandparents – and, vice versa. For example:
Positive benefits for grandkids:
- A source of knowledge, influence, mentoring, and friendship.
- Increased emotional support and cohesiveness for the family.
- A link with family heritage and legacy.
- Both emotional and physical support.
Positive benefits for grandparents:
- Increased socialization and mental wellbeing, including lower rates of depression.
- A more active lifestyle.
- The chance to provide moral guidance and also to share values.
- The rewarding feeling of knowing they are making an impact in the lives of their family, and to be needed and wanted.
A current AARP report shares some interesting facts surrounding the grandparent-grandchild relationship:
- By the age of 65, an astounding 96% of individuals are grandparents. And with our population of seniors exploding with growth, by the year 2030, 20% of all Americans will be 65 or older.
- Grandparents have on average 4 – 5 grandchildren.
- Nearly three-quarters of all 8-year-olds in the U.S. will have a living great-grandparent by the year 2030.
- 10% of grandparents live with their grandchildren, and 5% are primary caregivers.
There are, nonetheless, some hurdles for grandparents to experience close relationships with their grandkids, the most significant being geographic distance. Approximately 50% of all grandparents are more than 200 miles away from at least one of their grandkids. And many seniors are choosing to continue to work later in life, leaving less time available for family.
To conquer these obstacles, older adults are turning more and more to technology – something that has become especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when self-quarantining was essential for seniors. As a result, Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom have grown to be household terms, helping enhance bonds even when in-person time together is not a possibility.
If you’d like to investigate recommendations for enhancing a grandparent/grandchild relationship, let Grace Home Care, the leaders in senior care in Topeka, KS, help! We are here for you! Our innovative caregiving team can provide safe, accompanied transportation for family visits (regardless of distance!), prepare nutritious meals, and look after housekeeping chores to allow seniors to dedicate quality time to their grandkids, and more.
Call us any time at 785-286-2273 to discover how an in-home caregiver from Grace Home Care can help older adults live the best possible life. Learn about the senior home care Topeka, KS and surrounding areas trust, and request a free consultation, in the comfort of home, today!