Providing Grandchild Care in Later Life

Overview

Grandchild care is a modern global phenomenon arising from increased life expectancy , and, correlated with the rest of the world, the Turkish Statistical Institute's report on aging states that the prevalence of grandchild caregiving in Türkiye is 9.7% . Therefore, the health impacts of grandchild caregiving on older adults are attracting increasing attention. Various studies have shown that grandchild caregiving has both potential benefits and burdens for older individuals. While caregiving can provide physical activity, purpose, and emotional rewards, it can also create stress, reduce autonomy, and limit social participation and self-care, which is a significant determinant of healthy aging. Frailty, a multidimensional geriatric syndrome, is associated with disability, hospitalization, and death and is potentially reversible if diagnosed early. Furthermore, depression is another significant geriatric syndrome in the elderly and is associated with mortality; although various studies have shown that grandchild caregiving reduces depressive symptoms, some have found no association between grandchild caregiving and depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between grandchild care and frailty, depression, and self-neglect in patients presenting to geriatrics outpatients

Individuals aged 60 and over who apply to the Mersin University Geriatric Outpatient between March 15, 2026 and June 1, 2026, and who have received a comprehensive geriatric assessment including information on gender, marital status, medication, and illnesses; A prospective observational study is planned with 68 female and 68 male patients who can answer the daily living activities and instrumental daily living activities questionnaires, and who can answer the relevant questionnaire questions within the scope of frailty (FRAIL) and depression (geriatric depression scale (GDS)) screenings; have height and weight measurements; and consent to participate in the study. Given that the prevalence of giving birth to grandchildren in Türkiye is 9.7%, and applying the 'sample size for a single proportion' formula (n = Z²\[p(1-p)\]/d²) with a 95% confidence level (Z=1.96) and a 5% absolute margin of error, it was found that a minimum of 136 participants is required. The anthropometric measurements and questionnaire results of the patients will be examined prospectively through observation.