Grandparents need our touch more than we know. We should shower them with good morning hugs, leg and hand massages, and spontaneous arm around the shoulders. These may be the most important things we can do for them.

Our grandparents likely saw a sharp decline in the amount they were touched after raising kids. Maybe now it’s just their spouse, if they have one. Maybe being held is so rare that they’ve forgotten how nice it is. But touch is fundamental to their well being, just like it is for us, and just like it is for our babies. Touch is an instant marker of warmth, safety, love.

After all, they are just kids living through old age for the first time.