Celebrating grandparents for how they help families thrive
Grandparents often hold a special place in the heart of a family. They can be storytellers, cheerleaders, and — for some families — caregivers, playing an essential part of their family’s support system.
In the U.S., nearly 8 million children in the U.S. live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives.1 For these families, grandparents help provide stability and guidance, as well as create opportunities for connection across generations. But it’s not without its challenges.
In 2024, almost 14% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity,2 10% of which were adults age 50 and older.3 And seniors with a grandchild present in the home are substantially more likely to experience food insecurity than when no grandchildren are present.4 This can have a massive impact on overall health and chronic disease management.
With this in mind, UnitedHealthcare is providing resources that include:
- Grandfamilies Guide to Good Health: This downloadable guide provides healthy living and healthy eating information, including resources that may help families get connected to food and other support.
- UHCHealthierLives: This digital tool helps families find assistance with housing, food access, transportation and safety needs.
Being healthy is about the whole person, and the interconnectedness between generations can be a big part of that. For grandparents, caring for family begins with caring for oneself.
People with Medicare and Medicaid may qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, which may provide care coordination and additional support. Depending on the plan and eligibility, additional benefits may include help with everyday needs like food and utilities; over-the-counter products; dental, vision and hearing benefits; and transportation assistance to care appointments.
UnitedHealthcare is committed to the well-being of grandparents and the people they care about.
Learn more about how we’re working to support grandparents here.
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