Reliant In-Home Care just exhibited at the Living Well Summit 2012 last Friday. The overriding emphasis was about ‘Inter-generational’ programs that are sprouting up in the San Diego community and nationally. We at Reliant thought this article was timely! Just yesterday the day before Fathers Day I was driving in my car and thinking about how many fathers I new who have been blessed to now be Grandfathers. So here’s to all of you Fathers who will hopefully reap the many benefits of being Grandfathers someday!

Grandfathers who are more involved with their grandchildren have fewer symptoms of depression than grandfathers who are less involved, according to the new study “Grandfather Involvement and Aging Men’s Mental Health,” published in the American Journal of Men’s Health.

Researchers Alan C. Taylor of East Carolina University and James S. Bates of South Dakota State University co-authored the study, which found that grandfather-grandchild relationships influence aging men’s mental health. They report that family relationships help prevent depression, and increase feelings of happiness and joy.

“There have been very few studies investigating the mental health of aging men,” said Alan Taylor, “and this study contributes important insights into how relationships between grandfathers and grandchildren are valuable to men’s mental health.”

Taylor and Bates said the findings suggest the men who have limited interaction with their grandchildren have the highest risk for developing depressive symptoms. The effect may also be cyclical: grandfathers who are experiencing depression are less likely to initiate social interaction, and may thus further isolate themselves from grandchildren and other family members.

This Father’s Day, remember that bringing the children to visit Grandpa can be a real mood boost for him. If you can’t visit, take time for a phone call, Skype chat or email with photos. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

Source: College of Human Ecology, East Carolina University (www.ecu.edu/che/).