Helping to care for grandchildren can slow cognitive decline in grandparents.[1] Researchers found that grandparents who provided care for their grandchildren scored higher on tests of memory and verbal fluency than those who did not.[1] This effect was true regardless of the frequency or type of care provided.[1] The effect did not depend on age, health status and other factors.[1] The most important was the participation itself as a caregiver.[1] Grandmothers who cared for grandchildren experienced less cognitive decline during the study.[1] The results of the study were published in the journal Psychology and Aging.[1]