Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: The Influence of a Late-Life Transition on Occupational Engagement

ABSTRACT

Aim: Participation in social, leisure, and instrumental activities is associated with better physical and mental health in later life; however, unlike other older adults, grandparents raising grandchildren may replace previously enjoyed activities with child-rearing responsibilities. In light of poor health status among custodial grandparents, this paper focuses on the way raising a child influences grandparent engagement in occupation and perceptions of health and well-being. Methods: Ten grandparents age 60 and older responded to the SF-36v2 Health Survey, Activity Card Sort, demographic questionnaire, and interview. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and comparison to national norms, and a descriptive qualitative method of coding was followed to identify themes. Results: Grandfathers retained an appreciably higher level of activity involvement than grandmothers; most notably for social activities. Four grandmothers identified that raising a grandchild had a negative impact on their physical and emotional well-being. Conclusion: Occupational therapists can support grandparents’ re-establishment of leisure, social, and more demanding physical activity to avert functional decline.

KEYWORDS. :

• Grandparent
• grandchildren
• occupation
• caregiving
• instrumental activity
• co-occupation