Written by Aidan Cantwell
For older adults with children, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren, spending time with them can have an extraordinarily positive impact on your mental health. Furthermore, the physicality of playing with small children provides an additional physical health benefit. I have selected a scientific journal to provide factual information for those interested in science. Meanwhile, my other source is a bit more pedestrian-friendly. I chose the Washington Post. I thought this would provide some insight into the benefits from an easily digestible perspective. The TL:DR is that playing with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and children (although this may be less relevant for my audience) has a positive impact on one’s mental health both psychologically and overall. Additionally, play with children, due to its extraneous but generally not dangerous nature, also has a positive impact on older adults’ physical health. Lastly, playing with grandchildren is a highly effective way to remain integrated socially with society and family.
The Washington Post recommends that older adults play with their grandchildren. They cite that it is essential for mental health, improving mood, and physical health. Their blog post cites benefits such as “building an active family culture” as well as “social, cognitive benefits.” The Washington Post also advises people to “keep safe, avoiding injury.” These adversaries are meant to explain that there are many benefits to playing and caring for younger family members.
The scientific study I drew from looked at older adults in China and their role in caregiving for younger children. The study found that with the integration of elders into the family hierarchy as caregivers and second-hand parents, they have become more revered and better respected. This is reflected in a general increase in the social opinion of older people. A secondhand effect of older people becoming more integrated with younger children has led to them becoming more physically fit and active, thus improving health. A tertiary effect of their increased activity is that the participation of older people in society has made them more present and active, increasing their perception by average citizens. Although this study took place entirely in China, its data is valuable and can be extrapolated to conclude the Western world as well.
Citations
Yang, X., & Yin, D. (2022). The Protective Effect of Caring for Grandchildren on the Mental Health of the Elderly: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(3), 1255. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031255.
Brody, B. (2023, August 6). Want to live longer? Play with your grandkids. It’s good for them, too. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/08/06/children-grandparents-play-health-benefits/.