How Grandparents, Parents, and Kids All Benefit From Staying Close

Family closeness across generations isn't just heartwarming, it comes with real, research-backed benefits for grandparents, parents, and kids alike, according to research.

When members of the family from different generations stay close to each other, it benefits all the members involved — grandparents, parents, and children, according to recent research.

For grandparents, there is strong evidence that being involved in their children and grandchildren’s lives can have real cognitive benefits. A study published by the American Psychological Association in January 2026, with nearly 3,000 grandparents participating, found that those who take an active part in their grandchildren's care and leisure activities "scored higher on tests of both memory and verbal fluency compared with those who didn't."

Another research found that grandparents who regularly picked up their grandchildren from school or provided consistent childcare showed even higher verbal fluency than those who helped less often.

Parents benefit just as much, particularly those who belong to the "sandwich generation," or adults in their 40s who care for both their children and their parents.

According to research, more than half of this age group struggle with time management, exhaustion, stress, and caregiver burnout. When their parents and in-laws step in to help, this makes a big difference, relieving them of the stress and pressure of keeping up with their responsibilities.

Meanwhile, grandchildren can enjoy benefits that last a lifetime when both their parents and grandparents share in the responsibility of caring for them.

A 2025 study on multigenerational Chinese families found that grandparent involvement helped ease mothers' parenting stress and strengthen family resilience. A separate 2025 survey of young adults ages 18 to 29 also found that emotional support from even one grandparent boosted well-being even into adulthood, regardless of whether that grandparent was still living.

Today, more than 66 million Americans, roughly one in four, live in multigenerational households, according to American Senior Communities. While this is often due to practical reasons, many families enjoy the emotional payoff, shared meals, built-in childcare, and company the physical proximity brings.