Looking after your grandchildren, having more time for travel and being less stressed are among the best things about growing old, according to research.
After working hard during their younger years to take care of their family, over-60s agreed having more time to spend with their loved ones is a highlight of getting older.
Playing games with grandchildren, teaching them new skills and simply being able to live spontaneously also featured in the top 20 things about growing old.
More than two fifths even went as far as to say they enjoy themselves much more now than they did in their younger years.
Retiring from work, not caring what people think and being able to take up new hobbies are also considered to be positives about ageing, while a third enjoy being able to read with their grandchildren.
The study, of 1,600 adults aged over 60, by Stannah (https://www.stannahstairlifts.co.uk/) also found 45 per cent of doting grandparents get to spend more time with their grandchildren now than they did with their own children when they were the same age.
One in six even said they are emotionally closer to their grandchildren than their own children.
Patrick Stannah, MD of Stannah, said: “Having more time for yourself is such a valuable thing once you retire.
“But what’s even more exciting is being able to reconnect with your family – especially with your grandchildren.
“Our second Silver Census found over-60s look forward to spending time with their children’s children, whether it’s taking them on outings or reading together.
“It is heart-warming to see such strong inter-generational links blossoming around both traditional activities as well modern communications channels.”
The study also found grandparents are living nearby to their young relatives, with nearly half (44 per cent) located five miles or less from them.
And seven in 10 reckon they have more free time to spend with their grandchildren because they work less now, or not at all, compared to how much they worked when their own kids were growing up.
The research also found the convenience of modern life means 96 per cent will keep in touch with family and friends, with text messages and emails common ways to stay connected.
But 84 per cent make quality time with their grandchildren by reading with them, and more than a third will do so once a week or more.
In fact, four in 10 will read their favourite tales to youngsters, with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Oliver Twist and the Tiger Who Came to Tea among some of the titles over-60s said all children should read.
Robinson Crusoe, The Railway Children and the Famous Five were also named as classic children’s tales older Brits think little ones should immerse themselves in.
It also emerged charity shops are the most popular place to purchase a book, with nearly half choosing this destination over bookshops or online.
And nearly a third use their local library.
Just under half of those surveyed, through OnePoll, said they read every day, and 39 per cent said they enjoy learning something new while half said it keeps their mind ‘sharp’.
Top 20 things about growing older:
1. Retiring
2. Getting more choice over how to spend your time
3. Having more time for travel
4. Having more time for family
5. Not caring what people think
6. Going on more/longer holidays
7. Being less stressed
8. Being able to live spontaneously
9. Taking grandchildren on outings
10. Looking after your grandchildren
11. Being able to take up new hobbies
12. Having more disposable income to do what you want
13. Teaching your grandchildren new skills
14. Being more knowledgeable
15. Reading with your grandchildren
16. Playing games with grandchildren e.g. Monopoly, card games
17. Telling stories to grandchildren about when you were a child
18. Buying books for grandchildren
19. Reading to your grandchildren at bedtime
20. Not feeling tied down to one place
Top 20 books every child should read according to over 60s:
1. The Famous Five
2. The Railway Children
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
4. The Wind in the Willows
5. Tales of Winnie The Pooh
6. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
7. The Tales of Beatrix Potter
8. The Jungle Book
9. Peter Pan
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
11. The Secret Garden
12. Robinson Crusoe
13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
14. Oliver Twist
15. The Gruffalo
16. The Harry Potter Series
17. Watership Down
18. The Tiger Who Came To Tea
19. Swallows and Amazons
20. Just William
ENDS
