When grandparents step in to raise their grandchildren, it’s often out of love, necessity, and sacrifice. But what’s rarely seen is how quickly this arrangement—especially during a medical crisis—becomes overwhelming. These caregivers face challenges far beyond what their retirement plans prepared them for.
To understand how this connects to broader family breakdowns, read our full overview: How Medical Hardships Push Families to the Brink
A Growing Trend, With Growing Needs
More than 2.4 million grandparents in the U.S. are primary caregivers for their grandchildren. In Georgia, that number is rising—especially in communities hit hardest by addiction, incarceration, or economic instability.
These grandparents often live on fixed incomes, face their own health challenges, and now take on the full physical, emotional, and financial responsibility of raising children again. When a medical hardship arises, the results can be crushing.
The Overlapping Strain of Generational Care
| Challenge | Impact on Grandparent-Led Families |
|---|---|
| Fixed income | Can’t afford copays, prescriptions, or food |
| Chronic health conditions | Hinders ability to care for young children |
| Lack of legal guardianship | Limits access to care and services |
| Technology barriers | Difficulty navigating modern healthcare |
Without adequate support, grandparents become isolated—and children suffer too.
A Story of Courage—and Crisis
We worked with a grandmother raising three grandchildren after her daughter lost custody. She had COPD, limited mobility, and was caring for a preschooler and two elementary-aged boys. When she developed pneumonia, she delayed treatment because she had no one to watch the kids.
By the time she reached out, she was in tears—afraid she would end up hospitalized or worse. Ministries of Grace stepped in with home-delivered food, connected her to telehealth support, and helped coordinate legal guardianship paperwork so she could access pediatric care without delays.
Where Systems Fall Short
Grandparents in this position face massive systemic gaps:
- No legal rights to make medical decisions
- Difficulty qualifying for aid due to Social Security income
- Limited transportation access
- Lack of respite care or childcare
The result? Delayed treatments, missed medications, and children without consistent wellness support.
How Ministries of Grace Responds
We support grandparent-led households by:
- Delivering groceries and personal care items directly to their home
- Assisting with Medicaid and school registration paperwork
- Referring families to legal aid for guardianship documentation
- Providing gas cards or transportation help for medical visits
- Offering emotional support through check-ins and community connections
These grandparents are heroes, but even heroes need help.
How You Can Help Carry the Load
Your support ensures that grandparents raising children don’t have to face medical hardships alone. You help stabilize entire households—one delivery, one ride, one conversation at a time.
👉 Join The Bridge Monthly Giving Program
👉 Make a one-time donation to support grandparents and the children they care for
