Visiting your grandparents can help them live longer – and help you to live better | Ellie Keel

My grandma has sewn every costume and baked every birthday cake. Now, I can give her my time

It's Monday morning, and I should be at work. Instead I'm in a draper's shop on the high street in Hythe, Kent, helping my 86-year-old grandma buy elastic. Elastic bands?" the assistant asks. No, knicker elastic," Grandma says firmly. She tuts. Mine's getting all worn out."

Ten minutes later we leave with the elastic in a paper bag, along with some shoulder pads, which Grandma intends to sew into a jacket. She will do this with the same ease she exhibits when replacing her knicker elastic. There's no question of her buying new ones, as I would. Nearly lunchtime," Grandma says (it's 10.30am). I've made a lovely quiche."

Ellie Keel is a writer and theatre producer, and the founder director of the Women's Prize for Playwriting