Daily Activities and Experiences of Custodial Grandparents: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

Aim: It is well established that custodial grandparents experience higher rates of health problems compared with their age-related peers who are not raising grandchildren. However, less is known about how grandparents spend their time and which activities contribute to self-care practices and overall well-being. The purpose of this exploratory study was to uncover the daily activities and experiences of custodial grandparents (n = 5). Methods: A mixed methods design was employed using a time-use diary and semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Results: Findings revealed custodial grandmothers engaged in a number of daily activities, which were different from self-care practice previously identified in the literature. On the other hand, grandmothers reported spending much of their day engaged in care-related tasks associated with their grandchildren, often bringing grandmothers pleasure. Conclusions: Professionals assisting custodial grandparents should consider the daily activities and associated experiences of grandparents when providing support services and recommendations for their self-care.

KEYWORDS:

• Custodial grandparents
• time-use
• everyday activity
• pleasure
• restoration