Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a public health priority, yet understanding it remains challenging for the public, patients, and professionals.
• There is a critical need for person-centered education to support individuals with MCI and their families.
• The Wisconsin ADRC initiated the Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (HLMCI) program to address this need through community education and promote dementia risk reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact and reach of the HLMCI education series.
• To provide accessible, science-backed information on managing MCI and supporting brain health.
• To offer support for individuals diagnosed with MCI, their care partners, and healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• HLMCI is a quarterly educational series held in 7 locations across Wisconsin, including rural areas.
• Sessions are led by experts and focus on topics guided by the Lancet Commission report on brain health risk factors and participant requests.
• Each session includes ample time for questions and answers, fostering community engagement.

Main Results:

• In 2024, the program averaged 112 registrants per session, with popular topics like "You are More than Your Diagnosis."
• Attendees included individuals with MCI (28%), care partners (35%), and health professionals (35%), with diverse age ranges and demographics.
• High satisfaction ratings (92-94%) were reported for session topics and presenters, indicating program effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The HLMCI program effectively meets the demand for information on lifestyle changes and activities supporting brain health.
• It provides reliable education and support for individuals with MCI, their care partners, and healthcare professionals.
• The program successfully disseminates evidence-based strategies for living well with MCI and reducing dementia risk.