Helping to care for grandchildren may serve as a buffer against cognitive decline in older adults, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. Helping to care for grandchildren may help protect older adults from cognitive decline, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. “Many grandparents provide regular care for their grandchildren – care that supports families and society more broadly,” said lead researcher Flavia Chereches, MS, of Tilburg University in the Netherlands. The survey also collected detailed information about how often grandparents provided care and the types of activities involved. The pattern was consistent regardless of how frequently grandparents provided care or which types of caregiving activities they performed.