Thanks to remarkable advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles, we’re living in an unprecedented era of longevity. People aren’t just living longer—they’re living long enough to forge deep, meaningful relationships across multiple generations. For many families, this means adult grandchildren are now stepping into caregiving roles for grandparents they’ve known their entire lives.
This beautiful reversal—where the grandchild who once received care now provides it—creates a unique caregiving dynamic. It’s emotionally complex, deeply rewarding, and comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
Whether you’re an adult grandchild already caring for a grandparent, considering taking on this role, or simply want to understand this growing phenomenon, this guide will help you navigate this meaningful journey.
We’re Living Longer Than Ever Before
The statistics on human longevity are nothing short of remarkable.
America Is Getting Older—Fast
The U.S. population age 65 and older rose by 3.1% (to 61.2 million) while the population under age 18 decreased by 0.2% (to 73.1 million) from 2023 to 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. From 2020 to 2024, the older population grew by 13.0%, significantly outpacing the 1.4% growth of working-age adults.
The U.S. population age 65 and over grew nearly five times faster than the total population over the 100 years from 1920 to 2020. In 2020, about 1 in 6 people in the United States were age 65 and over. In 1920, this proportion was less than 1 in 20.
The 65-to-74 age group was the largest among older age groups, with 33.1 million people, representing 1 in 10 Americans in 2020. This group experienced the largest growth of any older age group in the previous decade, with numbers growing by 11.4 million or 52.5%.
By 2040, more than 78 million older adults ages 65 and older are projected to comprise 22% of the total U.S. population.
The Rise of the Centenarian
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the number of Americans ages 100 and older will more than quadruple over the next three decades, from an estimated 101,000 in 2024 to about 422,000 in 2054. In the last three decades alone, the U.S. centenarian population has nearly tripled. The 1990 census counted around 37,000 centenarians in the country.
Globally, the numbers are even more striking. While there were fewer than 170,000 centenarians in 2000, this number is projected to reach more than 20 million by 2100.
According to the New England Centenarian Study, the prevalence of centenarians has been increasing; over the past 20 years, the rate nearly doubled. In the United States today, there were 89,739 centenarians (age 100+) or a prevalence of 0.027%.
Living to 90 Is Becoming Common
It’s not just centenarians—reaching 90 is increasingly achievable across America. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the 90+ population continues to grow rapidly, increasing by 4.8% annually and reaching 5.6 million Americans—reflecting unprecedented improvements in healthcare and living conditions.
The 85+ age group is the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, driven by rising life expectancy and improved medical care. This group is expected to more than double by 2040, reaching close to 14 million individuals.
The growth across all older age groups has been remarkable. The population aged 95 and over grew by 48.6%, from about 425,000 in 2010 to 631,000 in 2020.
What This Means for Families
Today’s longer life expectancy means people spend more time as grandparents. Imagine living in 1900, when the average life span was 47 years! Today, you may live one-third of your life as a grandparent and as much as 15% of your life as a great-grandparent.
This extended lifespan creates extraordinary opportunities for intergenerational connection. Grandparents can watch their grandchildren grow into adults, attend their graduations, meet their great-grandchildren, and build relationships that span decades rather than years.
But it also means that grandparents may eventually need care—and their adult grandchildren, now in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, are often well positioned to provide it.
California’s Aging Population
Here in California, these national trends are playing out in significant ways. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, by 2040, 22 percent of Californians will be 65 or older, up from 14 percent in 2020. The older population (aged 65+) will increase by 59%, while the working-age population will remain largely unchanged.
California’s senior population currently comprises approximately 5.8 million individuals aged 65 and older—representing 14.4% of the state’s residents. Florida, California, and Texas have the largest numbers of elderly residents, with 1 in 4 U.S. seniors living in one of these three states.
In San Diego County and throughout Southern California, families are increasingly navigating the realities of caring for aging grandparents while balancing work, education, and other responsibilities.
The Growing Role of Young Adult Caregivers
Grandchildren as Caregivers: The Numbers
While most family caregivers are middle-aged adults caring for parents, a significant and growing number are younger adults caring for grandparents.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, 7% care for a grandparent or grandparent-in-law. Among caregivers ages 18 to 49, 17 percent report caring for grandparents or grandparents-in-law.
Research on young adult caregivers reveals that estimates of the number of young adult caregivers for older relatives in the United States have ranged from 2 million (aged 18 to 21) to 4 million (aged 18 to 25), and even up to 10 million (aged 18 to 34).
The Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving confirms that one in three caregivers is under age 50 and that 29% are sandwich generation caregivers, supporting both children and adults.
Why Grandchildren Are Stepping Up
Several factors contribute to grandchildren taking on caregiving roles:
Closer relationships: Many of these young caregivers have lived with or been raised by their grandparents. According to Generations United, more than one in four Americans (26 percent) live in households with 3 or more generations.
Cultural expectations: Young adults in ethnic/racial minoritized groups are more likely to engage in family caregiving for older relatives compared to non-Hispanic White young adults. Approximately one-third of self-identified caregivers in Hispanic American, African American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander families are aged 18 to 34.
Geographic proximity: Young adults living in the same household as older relatives are more likely to provide caregiving than those in different households.
Multigenerational living: The number of Americans living in multigenerational households is about four times what it was in the 1970s. The share of the U.S. population living in multigenerational homes more than doubled over the past five decades. In 2021, 59.7 million U.S. residents lived with multiple generations under one roof.
Caregiver shortages: Due to the growth of the older adult population and changes in fertility and family structures, the United States may have fewer family caregivers available than needed in the near future. Scholars suggest that caregiving networks should extend to include a broad range of relatives to address gaps in care.
Multigenerational Living: A Growing Trend
The rise in multigenerational households creates natural opportunities for grandchildren to provide care for grandparents.
The Numbers
Generations United estimates that 66.7 million adults ages 18+ in the U.S. live in multigenerational households, representing more than 1 in 4 Americans.
According to Census data, there were 6.0 million multigenerational households in the U.S. in 2020, up from 5.1 million in 2010. In 2021, an estimated 6.7 million grandparents lived with a grandchild under 18, 2.1 million of whom were responsible for most of their basic care.
The trend is accelerating. According to the National Association of Realtors, multigenerational homes accounted for 17% of housing purchases in 2024—a record share for the segment. One in five (21%) of Gen X buyers and 12% of older millennials bought such homes.
Why Families Are Choosing Multigenerational Living
The top reasons for living in a multigenerational home are financial reasons (65%), maintaining close family ties (39%), help with shared responsibilities (28%), a need for eldercare (23%), and a desire for companionship (22%).
The caregiving connection is significant: 35% of older millennial multigenerational home buyers purchased their homes due to the health and caregiving responsibilities of their aging parents, and 32% said they bought to spend more time with them.
And these arrangements work: The overwhelming majority of Americans living in a multigenerational home (98%) say their household functions successfully.
The Unique Dynamics of Grandchild-Grandparent Caregiving
Caring for a grandparent is fundamentally different from other caregiving relationships. The emotional history, the role reversal, and the generational span create both unique challenges and special rewards.
Managing Multiple Facets of the Relationship
One complexity of having a grandchild care for their grandparent is the multiple dimensions of their relationship.
The practical side: The grandchild must take a pragmatic approach to caring for their grandparent’s health and well-being. They must handle the daily logistics of caregiving—medication management, appointments, meals, personal care, and household tasks.
The emotional side: The grandchild may still see their grandparent as a mentor, teacher, and source of wisdom—even while providing intimate personal care. The grandparent may still feel protective of their grandchild and want to impart wisdom, even as the grandchild becomes increasingly dependent.
The key insight: Don’t let the logistics of caregiving overshadow the emotional bond. If you spend every visit frantically cleaning and cooking, you may miss the opportunity to simply sit and talk. Sometimes the most valuable caregiving activity is having a meaningful conversation.
Challenges Young Caregivers Face
Few people with firsthand experience caring for an older adult would describe it as an easy job. However, most family caregivers are 50 or older. They likely enjoyed their teenage and early adult years, eventually entering the workforce, learning to fend for themselves, getting married, and raising children.
Young adult caregivers face unique challenges:
Limited life experience: Most aren’t intimately familiar with the various indignities that come with getting older. They aren’t aware of the importance of legal and financial planning for the future or of the documents they’ll need to manage an older adult’s care.
Smaller support networks: Middle-aged caregivers often turn to their established networks of friends, colleagues, or other professionals, such as attorneys, physicians, or financial advisors, for guidance in these matters. The same cannot be said for caregivers in their 20s. Their friends are in college, working odd jobs, or starting careers.
Competing demands: A grandchild caring for Grandma and/or Grandpa may also be juggling school, work, or both. Unlike their peers, though, any “extra” time they have is spent managing medications, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), driving to doctors’ appointments, cooking meals, and doing laundry.
Authority challenges: While Grandma or Grandpa may be grateful for the daily assistance and companionship a grandchild provides, they might not see the value of a grandchild’s involvement in important matters such as legal and financial planning and health care decisions.
Policy gaps: The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for individuals caring for a spouse, child, or parent. It does not provide such leave to care for a grandparent, great aunt, or other aging relative.
The Special Rewards of Caring for Grandparents
Despite the challenges, caring for a grandparent offers profound rewards that are unique to this intergenerational relationship.
The Power of the Grandparent-Grandchild Bond
Research consistently shows that strong grandparent-grandchild relationships benefit both generations:
For grandchildren: Studies show that as many as 9 out of 10 adult grandchildren feel that their grandparents influenced their beliefs and values. Stanford researchers also found that grandchildren turn to their grandparents for advice on important decisions and feel they can discuss problems with them.
Grandparent–grandchild relationships, typically characterized by unconditional love, wisdom sharing, and mutual support, are considered beneficial for the younger generation. Research shows that grandchildren who maintained an emotionally close relationship with their grandparents reported lower levels of depression than those who had weak grandparent–grandchild relationships.
For grandparents: A study at Boston College found that “an emotionally close relationship between grandparent and grandchild is associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations.”
Grandparents who babysit their grandkids or other family members are living longer, according to a study published in Evolution and Human Behavior. The data found that seniors who provided some childcare, whether for their grandchildren or for others, had a lower risk of death over a 20-year period than those who did not help others.
Preserving Precious Memories and History
Your grandparents have witnessed remarkable history. They may have lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, the moon landing, the birth of the internet, and countless other defining moments. They carry stories that no book or documentary can fully capture.
Taking time to hear these stories isn’t just enjoyable—it’s an act of preservation. Consider:
- Designating regular time to sit and talk about their memories
- Recording conversations (with permission) for future generations
- Looking through old photos together and documenting names and stories
- Writing down family recipes, traditions, and customs
- Creating a family history project together
According to a report from The Legacy Project, children who hear stories about their grandparents’ experiences develop greater resilience and identity, knowing they are part of a larger narrative.
The Mutual Benefits of Connection
Meaningful, purposeful relationships between young and old result in a dual win: they help young people develop a sense of self-worth and meaning while enriching the lives of older adults, who contribute to the well-being of future generations.
As a caregiver, you’re not just providing practical support—you’re offering companionship that can significantly impact your grandparent’s wellbeing. Social isolation and loneliness are major health risks for seniors, associated with increased risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.
Your presence, conversation, and care provide emotional nourishment that’s just as important as any medication or meal.
Practical Strategies for Grandchild Caregivers
1. Balance Caregiving Tasks with Quality Time
It’s easy to get caught up in the practical demands of caregiving—the cleaning, cooking, medication management, and appointment scheduling. But remember: your relationship is the foundation of everything.
Make time for connection: Set aside time specifically for talking, reminiscing, and enjoying each other’s company—separate from caregiving tasks.
Involve your grandparent: When possible, do tasks together rather than for them. Cook a meal together, sort through photos together, or garden together.
Be present: Put away your phone during visits. Give your full attention to your grandparent.
2. Use Technology to Streamline Logistics
Technology can help you handle caregiving logistics more efficiently, freeing up time for meaningful connections:
Medication management apps: Apps like Medisafe can help track medications, send reminders, and alert you if doses are missed.
Grocery and meal delivery: Services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Meals on Wheels can handle food logistics, giving you more time for companionship.
Telehealth: Many medical appointments can now be conducted via video call, reducing transportation burdens.
Family coordination apps: Apps such as Caring Village, Carely, and CareZone help multiple family members coordinate care tasks and communication.
Video calling: Regular FaceTime or Zoom calls supplement in-person visits and help you stay connected between visits.
You can also teach your grandparent to use technology. Reverse mentoring, where grandchildren teach their elders to navigate digital tools, strengthens intergenerational bonds and preserves cultural practices.
3. Build a Team Approach
You don’t have to do this alone—and you shouldn’t. Even the most devoted grandchild can experience burnout if they try to handle everything themselves.
Involve other family members: Enlist parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins. Everyone can contribute something, even if they live far away.
Assign roles based on strengths: One family member might handle finances, another coordinate medical care, another provide companionship, and another handle technology setup.
Communicate regularly: Use group texts, family meetings, or coordination apps to keep everyone informed and aligned.
Accept help: When others offer, say yes. Be specific about what would be most helpful.
4. Know When to Bring in Professional Help
There’s no shame in recognizing that professional caregiving support can benefit everyone—including your grandparent and your relationship.
Professional home care can:
- Handle physically demanding personal care tasks
- Provide consistent daily support
- Give you breaks (respite) to prevent burnout
- Allow you to focus on being a grandchild rather than just a caregiver
- Ensure skilled care for complex medical needs
Hiring in-home care, taking a grandparent to adult day care, or encouraging them to move to a senior living facility are all options that can help a grandchild achieve a better balance in life.
5. Take Care of Yourself
Young caregivers are at particular risk for burnout, stress, and health problems. The Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report shows that one in five caregivers reports poor health and that caregiving takes a significant toll on mental health.
Prioritize your wellbeing:
- Maintain your own health appointments
- Stay connected with friends your own age
- Continue pursuing your education and career goals
- Get enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food
- Seek counseling or support groups if you’re struggling
Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no sometimes. It’s okay to take breaks. It’s okay to ask for help.
6. Navigate the Unique Authority Challenges
If your grandparent is resistant to your involvement in important decisions, consider:
Bringing in allies: Parents, other older relatives, or healthcare providers may be able to advocate for changes your grandparent resists hearing from you.
Leading with questions: Instead of telling your grandparent what to do, ask questions that help them reach their own conclusions.
Focusing on safety: Frame concerns in terms of keeping them safe and healthy so you can enjoy more time together.
Respecting their autonomy: Ultimately, your grandparent has the right to make their own decisions. Focus on what you can control.
The Broader Picture: Family Caregiving Today
Understanding the broader caregiving landscape can help you appreciate where you fit and what resources may be available.
The Scope of Family Caregiving
According to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report:
- 63 million Americans are caregivers in 2025—nearly 1 in 4 adults
- Over 40% of caregivers now provide high-intensity care
- Seven in ten family caregivers are employed
- Half report a negative financial impact due to caregiving, and one in five cannot afford basic needs like food
- Many perform complex medical tasks like administering injections or managing equipment, yet only 22% receive training
The Growing Need for Caregivers
The number of family caregivers has grown dramatically. In just over a decade, the number of family caregivers regularly assisting older adults with daily activities at home grew by 32%, increasing from 18.2 million to 24.1 million between 2011 and 2022.
As the large Baby Boom generation ages, even more caregivers will be needed. Young adult caregivers fill some of these gaps by meeting the care needs of older relatives.
The Changing Demographics of Grandparent Caregivers
Interestingly, grandparents who provide primary care for their grandchildren are themselves aging. In 2021, 60.1% of grandparents living with and responsible for their grandchildren were age 60 and over, up from 46.8% in 2012.
There’s also a trend toward longer caregiving relationships: In 2021, 49.3% of caregiving grandparents had been responsible for their grandchildren for five years or longer, a notable increase from 39.3% in 2012.
This means some families face dual caregiving needs—grandparents caring for young grandchildren while also needing care from adult grandchildren.
How All Heart Home Care Can Help
When an adult grandchild is caring for a grandparent, professional home care can be transformative—not just for the grandparent, but for the entire relationship.
Preserving the Grandparent-Grandchild Bond
The most precious thing about your relationship with your grandparent isn’t the caregiving tasks—it’s the emotional connection, the shared history, the love. When a professional caregiver handles the daily logistics, you’re free to focus on what matters most: being a grandchild.
Instead of spending your visit doing laundry, managing medications, and helping with bathing, you can:
- Sit and talk about family history
- Look through old photos together
- Share a meal and conversation
- Play games or enjoy hobbies together
- Simply be present with each other
Our Services Support the Whole Family
Personal care assistance:
- Bathing, grooming, and hygiene help
- Dressing and mobility assistance
- Medication reminders
- Toileting and continence care
Daily living support:
- Meal planning and preparation
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Grocery shopping and errands
- Transportation to appointments
Companionship:
- Meaningful conversation and social engagement
- Accompaniment to activities
- Mental stimulation and engagement
- Supervision for safety
Specialized care:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s care
- Post-hospital recovery support
- Chronic condition management
Respite for Family Caregivers
Even the most devoted grandchild needs breaks. Our respite care services give you time to:
- Focus on school, work, or career
- Maintain relationships with friends
- Take care of your own health
- Simply rest and recharge
You can step away knowing your grandparent is in capable, compassionate hands.
Flexible Scheduling
Every family’s situation is different. Whether you need:
- A few hours of help while you’re at work or school
- Daily visits to supplement family care
- Overnight or 24-hour care
- Temporary coverage during travel or busy periods
We’ll create a care plan that fits your family’s unique needs and schedule.
Making This Journey Meaningful
Caring for a grandparent is one of the most meaningful things an adult grandchild can do. It’s a chance to give back to someone who loved you before you could even walk—and to create memories that will last the rest of your life.
Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, it will require sacrifice. But the rewards—the stories shared, the bond deepened, the gratitude expressed and received—are beyond measure.
Remember These Key Principles:
- Prioritize relationships over tasks. The caregiving logistics matter, but the emotional connection matters more.
- You don’t have to do it alone. Build a team of family members, friends, and professionals.
- Use available resources. Technology, community services, and professional care can all support your efforts.
- Take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Your well-being matters too.
- Preserve the memories. Take time to hear and record your grandparents’ stories. They’re irreplaceable.
- Know when to ask for help. Professional caregiving support isn’t a failure—it’s a smart way to ensure everyone’s needs are met.
Contact All Heart Home Care
If you’re an adult grandchild caring for a grandparent—or if you’re a parent watching your child step into this meaningful role—All Heart Home Care is here to support your family.
Call us today at (619) 736-4677 for a free in-home consultation. We’ll discuss your grandparents’ care needs, your family’s situation, and how professional support can help everyone thrive.
Because the bond between grandparents and grandchildren is precious—and it deserves to be nurtured, not overwhelmed by caregiving demands.
All Heart Home Care is a veteran-owned, nurse-led home care agency proudly serving San Diego County for over 11 years. We help families maintain the relationships that matter most while ensuring their loved ones receive compassionate, professional care.
Resources for Grandchild Caregivers
✓ AARP Caregiving Resource Center: aarp.org/caregiving
✓ Family Caregiver Alliance: caregiver.org
✓ Generations United: gu.org
✓ Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: gksnetwork.org
✓ National Alliance for Caregiving: caregiving.org
✓ Caregiver Action Network: caregiveraction.org
✓ Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116
