Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

In collaboration with the MCI Academy

In 2017 Dementia United observed a lack of consistency in how people across Greater Manchester were diagnosed and supported with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). We also heard from people living with MCI how a diagnosis could be confusing and lead to uncertainty as to what the future may hold. Although MCI is not a form of dementia, those with a diagnosis are at increased risk of developing dementia and may benefit from extra support to improve their brain health and reduce their lifestyle risks.

We believe that, with the correct support, treatment and diagnostic frameworks, people can feel supported to live well with MCI, plan for the future and adopt brain healthy lifestyle changes which could lower the risk of their cognition worsening or progressing to dementia.

In 2021, as part of a suite of projects aimed at improving diagnosis and offering support to patients, we collaborated with Dr Ross Dunne and Dementia Academy to develop an MCI virtual course. It was designed to equip those working in the provision or development of services for people with mild memory impairment with the knowledge and motivation to carry out their own service improvement projects.

Drawing from these quality improvement projects we collated a short booklet, containing overviews and snapshots of some of these projects. We are delighted to share them here as a way of furthering learning, and encouraging others to improve services and support around MCI in the future: Quality improvement in mild cognitive impairment Stories from across the UK and Ireland

In partnership with Wigan & Trafford we commissioned a training resource, produced by Made by Mortals,  www.madebymortals.org/dementia-resource/ The resource has been co-produced with people living with dementia and their carers and is for people who wish to make their service, group, organisation or venue more dementia friendly. Through reading this, you will have a greater understanding of what is happening to Ruby & Dennis (the two main characters in the audio) and the challenges they face. It also contains useful links to further your understanding of dementia and examples of best practice from other organisations, groups, services and venues.