Babysitting helps reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly

The latest scientific research shows that raising grandchildren can help grandparents' brains become healthier.

Taking care of grandchildren has many mental and health benefits for the elderly.

Adults aged 50 to 79 who provide moderate weekly care for their grandchildren may reduce their risk of dementia by 24%, according to a large study published in the July 2025 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Explaining this miraculous mechanism, researchers pointed out that: taking care of young children forces the elderly to actively talk and play with their grandchildren. These seemingly simple actions create regular and effective brain activity. Spending time with grandchildren not only helps the elderly preserve their memory but is also a gateway for them to access the modern world . From learning how to turn on video calls, looking up information online, to singing along to "technology-era nursery rhymes"... every action activates different areas of the brain.

Many elderly people, thanks to playing with their grandchildren, have learned to install new applications, learn simple foreign languages, or even use social networks just to "follow their grandchildren's growth journey".

Not only does it have positive cognitive effects, taking care of grandchildren is also a spiritual medicine to dispel loneliness - a major risk factor for depression and brain function decline in the elderly. When grandparents feel that they still have a role in the family, are still loved and relied on, they live more positively and optimistically.

For a long time, many grandparents still consider taking care of grandchildren a joy of old age.

However, the research team also noted that too much care for grandchildren, especially more than 40 hours a week, can create unwanted physical and psychological pressure. It is important to keep the caregiving at a moderate level, viewing it as an activity that enhances social connection and stimulates the brain, rather than a burden. Elderly people also need time to rest and recuperate.

vtv.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/trong-chau-nho-giup-giam-nguy-co-sa-sut-tri-tue-o-nguoi-gia-post878618.html