Grandparent Involvement in Chronic Disease Management: How Family Support Can Make a Difference
Grandparents hold a unique and influential role in their grandchildren’s lives. From guiding children through healthy lifestyle choices to being a source of love and wisdom, grandparents offer powerful support in promoting long-term health.
The Impact of Grandparents in Health Management
For many families, grandparents serve as trusted caregivers, role models, and sources of emotional stability. Grandparents may improve family routines by reinforcing values, providing support, and spending quality time with their grandchildren—all of which can help children with chronic disease management, social adjustment, and emotional development.
Studies show that grandparent involvement - especially in encouraging healthy routines - can influence children’s health and well-being. In particular, their involved care may assist in managing chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity, along with their respective outcomes. Involving the family is linked to improved medication adherence and fewer symptoms in children, as evidenced by research on the impact of family support and consistent routines.
While the full extent of the influence that grandparents have on the health outcomes of their grandchildren is still being explored/evaluated, their supportive presence can relieve stress for the child, parents, and grandparents themselves.
The Important Role of Grandparents in Family Care and Support
Grandparents often provide both emotional and hands-on assistance, such as helping with medication routines, attending medical appointments, preparing nutritious meals, and encouraging active play. In many Asian countries, maternal grandparents are especially involved, offering substantial caregiving support and reinforcing family values. Although seemingly small, these impactful actions can encourage habits that may prevent health complications and support long-term wellness.
Their role in helping children manage stress is particularly important, as children dealing with chronic disease may experience heightened anxiety or uncertainty. Approximately 10% of children aged 3-17 have diagnosed anxiety disorders, with higher prevalence among those with chronic illnesses. In Canada, approximately 16% of children live in single-parent households, making grandparents an increasingly vital source of stability. Often stepping in as “back-up” parents, grandparents play a crucial role in providing emotional and practical support, particularly for teenagers navigating challenging or volatile circumstances.
By offering a calming presence and emotional stability, grandparents can help reduce stress in the family, which is essential to supporting immune health and recovery.
The Impact of Caregiving on Grandparents’ Health
While grandparents play a significant role in family health, caregiving can often be demanding and lead to increased stress. Research suggests that while some grandparents experience health benefits from their caregiving role, others report physical strain and mental fatigue. A study in India, showed that grandparents over the age of 60 who lived in multi-generational households reported that their emotional health and contentment improved over time. This finding reflects the way most Canadian grandparents describe their relationship with their grandchildren: warm, close, and deeply satisfying. In contrast, interviewees from the same study showed that mental distress is particularly evident in skipped-generation households - where grandchildren depend solely on their grandparents as primary caregivers without parental support.
Supporting grandparents’ well-being and ensuring they have access to resources can help them sustain their caregiving role effectively and foster a nurturing family environment.
A Holistic Approach to Family Health
Involving grandparents in chronic disease management creates a supportive, family-centered approach that values the role of each family member in a child’s health journey. This holistic approach, which is often advocated for in pediatric settings, ensures that grandparents are not only valued but also empowered with the knowledge they need to contribute effectively to their family - helping to foster a sense of family unity.
How Grandparents Can Support Chronic Disease Management
With their depth of life experience, grandparents can reinforce habits that promote overall well-being—such as balanced eating, regular physical activity, positive sleep routines, and strong family connections. Below are five tips for making a positive impact as a caregiver:
- Promote a Balanced Diet: Learn about nutrition and dietary needs specific to your grandchild’s condition. Preparing meals with wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports both mental and physical health, creating a sustainable foundation for longevity
- Encourage Active Play: Physical activity is essential for managing chronic conditions and can be a joyful way to connect. Encourage activities suitable for your grandchild’s abilities, such as gentle yoga, swimming, or nature walks with family, which not only help manage symptoms but strengthen the bond with your grandchild during their journey to wellness
- Provide Emotional Comfort: Emotional support from a loved one can help reduce stress levels and improve overall health. Being present to listen or offer comfort creates a sense of security that supports both mental and physical well-being
- Model Healthy Habits: Grandparents who practice balanced routines around diet, sleep, and stress management set a positive example. This reinforces to children that health is a lifelong journey and that good habits are something we all nurture together
- Stay Connected and Informed: Remaining involved in the specific health needs of your grandchild makes it easier to support the entire family. For example, attending medical appointments can help you stay connected to their journey
Takeaways
Grandparents offer invaluable support in managing chronic illness in children. Through their active involvement, they promote stability and resilience within the family, creating a nurturing environment that benefits everyone. As research continues to explore the value of this role, it is clear that families who embrace healthy involvement of grandparents can cultivate long-lasting health and well-being.
If you are a grandparent or know one involved in caring for a child with chronic disease, remember that small, intentional actions can make a big difference. With thoughtful efforts, grandparents can have a lasting positive impact - cultivating healthier, happier lives for children and their families.
Author: Alexa Gavrilidis