More grandparents are stepping in to raise their grandchildren – sometimes temporarily, often full-time. About 1 in 10 children live in kinship care, raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, and other relatives or friends instead of birth parents; in some places that number is as high as 1 in 3. “Grandfamilies,” when grandparents serve as surrogate parents to their grandchildren, are by far the most common kinship care. For example, about 2.7 million grandparents are raising grandchildren in the U.S. and about 20% of kids are with grandparents in Australia. Whether due to economic challenges, health crises, relocation, or social disruptions, this growing trend has placed older adults at the heart of child-rearing.
While this arrangement can be deeply rewarding, it also comes with unique challenges—especially for aging adults balancing their own health and well-being with the demands of parenting.
1. Financial strain. Raising a child is expensive at any age, but for grandparents on fixed incomes or retirement pensions, the added costs of schooling, clothing, and healthcare can be overwhelming. Grandparents often assume care without legal custody, limiting access to financial aid or tax benefits.
2. Health and energy demands. Caring for a young child can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially for those managing chronic health conditions or age-related limitations. Grandparents may not have the stamina or mobility they once had, yet find themselves attending school events, managing homework, or handling tantrums.
3. Legal and custody issues. As mentioned, many grandparent caregivers lack legal guardianship, which can complicate decisions about school enrollment, medical care, or travel. Often, care begins informally, without legal proceedings, leaving grandparents in a gray zone of responsibility without authority.
4. Emotional and social isolation. Grandparents may feel out of step with their peers, whose children are grown, while also struggling to relate to younger parents at school events. This dual role of being both a senior and a parent can feel lonely and misunderstood.
5. Technology and education gaps. Helping with schoolwork in today’s digital age can be a steep learning curve for some grandparents. Modern classrooms rely on apps, online platforms, and teaching methods unfamiliar to many older adults.
Many communities, including schools and governments, provide support, from the technical to the financial. Resources vary by location but frequently:
- Governments or nonprofits offer kinship care resources to support taking care of children.
- Schools have counselors and other professionals able to help with academic and behavioral concerns.
- Local legal aid clinics offer pro-bono (free) guidance for custody and guardianship guidance.
- Religious, governmental, and non-profit organizations keep food and clothing banks to ease financial strain on necessities.
- Local support groups can offer emotional connection and advocacy for grandparents caring for grandchildren
One of the best supports for anyone raising children is tangible support. Home care services can be a lifeline for caregiving grandparents. Whether it’s help with daily household tasks, transportation to appointments, or just a few hours of respite care each week, professional support allows grandparents to take care of themselves while continuing to care for their grandkids. At Home Care Assistance, we understand the complex needs of multigenerational families. Our personalized home care services offer the flexibility, dignity, and support that grandparent caregivers deserve, so they can keep showing up with strength, love, and stability.
Contact us today to see how Home Care Assistance can help grandfamilies thrive.
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Sources: Family for Every Child; The International Journal of Aging and Human Development; GKSN; NT Grandparents Day; NDSU; AAMFT