The Takeaway
- More than 6.7 million U.S. adults live with grandchildren, with a third serving as primary caregivers.
- Most “grandfamilies” are led by single grandmothers in their 50s–70s, often on limited income.
- Support groups, workshops, and legal guidance can ease the burden.
- Arizona nonprofit Duet shows how local programs can make a difference.
- “This isn’t how I pictured my golden years.”
"It's you and me, kid"
The church basement smells faintly of coffee and crayons. Around a folding table, half a dozen women in their sixties lean in, swapping stories about school lunches and bedtime battles.
“This isn’t how I pictured my golden years,” one of them sighs. “It’s you and me, kid.”
It’s a line you’ll hear again and again if you sit in on a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren. Across the U.S., more than a million seniors have had to step in as parents for a second time, often because of substance use, incarceration, mental illness, or death in their own children’s generation.
The numbers are striking. Nationwide, the number of grandparents serving as primary caregivers has grown by nearly 15% over the past decade, according to U.S. Census data.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 6.7 million adults lived with grandchildren in 2021 — and about a third were directly responsible for raising them. In Arizona alone, more than 62,000 families fall into this “kinship care” category.
For many of these households, the daily reality is tough:
- Single grandmothers, often living on less than $2,000 per month.
- Balancing their own health concerns while managing children’s emotional and behavioral needs.
- Navigating a confusing maze of schools, courts, and health systems without a roadmap.
The emotional toll can be heavy — grief, guilt, and exhaustion often mix with deep love and fierce protectiveness.
Where support comes in
Groups like Duet: Partners in Health & Aging in Phoenix have stepped into this gap, offering services that range from peer support groups and educational workshops to legal guidance and financial help with kids’ activities.
Patricia Dominguez, who directs Duet’s kinship care program with services in both English and Spanish, says the goal isn’t to take over parenting but to make it survivable: “Parenting the second time around brings a range of emotions and challenges. We want grandparents to know they aren’t alone.”
Where to find help
Similar programs exist under different names across the country. Many states have “kinship navigator” programs, and local Area Agencies on Aging often maintain lists of support groups and legal aid resources.
- Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: National hub connecting caregivers to local programs (gksnetwork.org)
- AARP Grandfamilies Guide: Legal and financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren (aarp.org/grandparents)
- Arizona Kinship Support Services: Local support through Duet: Partners in Health & Aging
Why it matters
These grandparents didn’t plan to restart the parenting clock. Yet their willingness to step up keeps thousands of children out of foster care and gives them the stability of family.
The challenge now is making sure those who take on this role don’t do it alone.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal or medical advice. Seniors considering kinship caregiving should consult with qualified professionals in their area.
