[Buge]

Why does the crime elder abuse exist? Because older people often have a harder time with physical and mental tasks.

I agree that whether she has grandchildren or not doesn't matter much, but people say grandma to be more polite than saying old lady.

[dionidium]

She's 52.

[Buge]

Yeah, you're right, she's a bit younger than the typical grandma, so the use here does seem mostly for sympathy.