Looking after your grandchildren can help you avoid loneliness, scientists say…

They say grandchildren keep you young.

Now scientists say they also keep you from getting lonely.

According to an important study, people who care for their grandchildren are much less likely to feel lonely than those who care for their spouse.

Researchers from King’s College London examined the results of 28 global studies that examined the relationship between caring, volunteering and loneliness in people over 50.

They found that in six out of seven cases, caring for children – whether related or not – was associated with lower levels of loneliness among older people.

Volunteering, such as helping out at a thrift store or church, has also been found to reduce feelings of isolation in most cases.

But those who had to care for a partner or spouse were consistently linked to more loneliness, often due to a health condition such as dementia.

Lead author Samia Akhter-Khan, from King’s College London, said: “Our findings suggest that caring for a partner with complex health conditions, particularly dementia or Alzheimer’s, is associated with higher levels of loneliness – while caring for children or volunteering can help reduce loneliness in older people.

“There is an urgent need to identify people who may be more vulnerable to loneliness – and to develop targeted solutions to prevent and reduce loneliness in these populations.”

Loneliness has been linked to a range of health problems, including an increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, dementia and depression.

The End Loneliness Campaign said there are 1.2 million chronically lonely older people and 9 million lonely people in the UK whose health impacts are comparable to smoking and obesity.

The researchers hope that the findings, published in the journal Aging and Mental Health, will lead to further research to examine the barriers, opportunities and satisfaction with participating in meaningful activities.

Dr Matthew Prina, head of the Social Epidemiology Research Group at King’s College London, said: “This may help to shed light on the optimal ‘dose’ of volunteering and looking after grandchildren and ways in which its potential positive impact on the combating loneliness can be achieved can be maximized to more than 50.

“Respecting older adults for their contributions and appreciating their unpaid activities is likely to play an important role in reducing loneliness.”