Study Finds Grandparents Who Help Watch Grandchildren Have Lower Risk of Death

A Berlin Aging Study of 500 people 70 and older determined older men and women who help watch their grandchildren or provide support on some level as a caregiver have a lower risk of death over 20 years compared to seniors who do not, reports Fox 17 . Dr. Ronan Factora of the Cleveland Clinic cited the study's indications that physical caregiving rigors and the act of providing care for another likely play a role. "If providing care to grandchildren and others in need is one way that can actually reduce stress, then these activities should be of benefit to folks who are grandparents and provide this care to their grandkids," he suggested. Factora cautioned that providing care is a balancing act, warning that excessive caregiving can have a detrimental effect.