SPENDING TIME WITH KIDS HAS HEALTH BENEFITS FOR GRANDPARENTS
Eat healthy. Get daily exercise. Get regular checkups. These are all tips that doctors say can help improve seniors’ health.
Another surprising suggestion? Spend more time babysitting.
A 2016 study in medical journal Evolution and Human Behavior suggested that grandparents who help care for their grandchildren — but who do not have custodial responsibilities — live longer than other seniors and have a better quality of life.
In part, researchers said, it’s because caring for young children requires older adults to stay active, socialize and participate in activities.