As American families increasingly delay having children, the average age at which individuals become grandparents has risen significantly, reshaping family dynamics and the role grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives.

David Andrus, 72, who spent much of his life engaged in outdoor activities near his Colorado home, experienced this shift firsthand. Despite a degenerative spinal condition that limits his physical activities, he relocated closer to his son’s family in Portland, Oregon, shortly after his first grandchild Cedar was born. The transition to grandparenthood has brought joy but also challenges typical of older grandparents.

Delayed parenthood has led to a substantial increase in the median age of first-time grandparents. According to research by economists Dora Costa of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Matthew Kahn of the University of Southern California, the median age for becoming a grandmother has increased from around 44 in 1960—when women typically had their first child in their early 20s—to approximately 57 today, reflecting changes in childbearing patterns. This delay has resulted in a reduction of the number of “healthy” years grandparents spend actively involved with their grandchildren, decreasing from about 28 years to 15, despite overall gains in life expectancy.

Older grandparents often face physical and health limitations while navigating caregiving and playtime with their grandchildren. Cindy Allen, 73, a retired preschool teacher in Amherst, New Hampshire, became a grandmother in her 60s after her daughter delayed childbirth until age 39 to focus on her career. Allen describes the difficulty of keeping up with her energetic grandsons while managing arthritis and recent cataract surgery. “I can still kick a soccer ball, but I can’t do it for an hour anymore,” she said, highlighting the common challenges older grandparents encounter.

The demographic shift has also influenced the availability and extent of grandparental support. Data from the National Center for Marriage and Family Research indicate a decline in the proportion of adults aged 50 and older who are grandparents, from 58% in 2014 to 50% in 2023. This change stems from a combination of an aging population, delayed parenthood, and smaller family sizes.

Many grandparents continue to provide substantial assistance with child care, contributing significant time and financial resources. An AARP report found that grandparents provided an average of over 500 hours of child care annually and spent around $2,654 out-of-pocket on grandchildren’s needs, ranging from everyday essentials to education-related expenses.

Ellen Vance, 65, retired from her government grants-management position last year, timed with the birth of her first grandchild, Anna, in Charleston, West Virginia. Since then, she and her husband have regularly cared for the infant to cover child-care gaps. While Vance appreciates the opportunity to support her family in this way, she acknowledges the physical toll and plans to reduce her involvement following upcoming spinal surgery.

For many adults considering parenthood, the age and health of their own parents factor into family planning decisions. Jeff Andrus, 38, and his partner Alyx Jolivet, 40, delayed having children due to financial concerns. Their parents, David and Martha Andrus (72), now live nearby and embrace their grandparent roles enthusiastically. “We don’t need a fireplace because we are all just sitting around staring at him,” Martha said of their grandson, capturing the deep bond formed despite the generational gap brought on by later grandparenthood.

This evolving landscape highlights both the rewards and challenges of grandparenthood at an older age, as families adapt to shifting timelines in childbearing and caregiving within changing economic and social contexts.