AARP Hearing Center
The 70 million American grandparents have a foundational role in helping young adults grow and thrive, according to a recent AARP survey. They are keepers of family values, advisors of practical life skills, and valued sources of emotional support.
Among the adults age 50-plus surveyed, nearly nine in 10 (87%) agree grandparents are important figures in helping younger generations become capable, confident adults. Most (85%) say Grandma and Grandpa help usher younger generations into adulthood by teaching family values, resilience, and life skills. They are also consistent, trusted adults who nurture independence and self-confidence.
While the role of sharing practical and emotional advice appears strongly embedded, the role of recording family legacy may not be quite as much so.
In their words
Most grandparents (63%) have not recorded their stories. And just 9% of grandparents say they have regularly done so (i.e., recording their stories or written them down). Another quarter say they’ve recorded their legacy a few times.
Still, more than a third (36%) of grandparents say they do plan to record their stories.
Such stories may include everything from family histories to personal accounts, advice, recipes, and generational traditions. Resources that could help grandparents preserve their legacy are out there. Options include making a video, using dictation for oral histories, tapping prompts from a digital legacy tool, and others.
Preserving a legacy
Education and awareness potentially could get the ball rolling. A strong majority of grandparents (73%) say they would use technology to capture their stories if it were available. They are motivated by creating something meaningful to pass down (46%), helping younger generations learn from their experiences (45%), and preserving cultural or family traditions (35%).
While slightly more than a quarter (27%) are not interested in recording their legacy, grandparents in general see their legacy in another light as well — a light that takes several forms. They are interested in offering wisdom and guidance or being a source of love and stability. They also see their role as being about direct support in helping young adults navigate the mundane aspects of adulthood or “learn to adult better”; 43% acknowledge that they provide financial support for various needs including education, housing, and emergencies.
Simply being a model for navigating change and uncertainty is another way grandparents are staying involved in the lives of the next generation and ensuring a lasting legacy.
Methodology
The online survey of 1,347 U.S. adults age 50-plus was conducted between August 15 and August 18, 2025. The weighted data reflect the U.S. populations of adults age 50 and over.
For more information, please contact Brittne Kakulla at bkakulla@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.
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