Mild Cognitive Impairment: the facts

Did you know that EARLY identification of mild cognitive impairment can prolong the working life of older people and improve their quality of life?

With an ageing demographic and the increase of retirement age, there is a real amplified risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment within the working population.  So, what does this mean for employers?

Let us start with the facts – Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a set of symptoms as opposed to a specific medical condition or disease – though the risk of developing dementia is higher which in turn moves the patient into a different medical category.

MCI symptoms can start subtly with one or more of the following problems:

·         Memory retention day-to-day

·         Planning

·         Language

·         Attention and

·         Visuospatial skills

To be diagnosed with MCI the symptoms must have a noticeable change from the previous levels of functioning, and will often be recognised by the individual affected.

Though some of the problems will not usually interfere with your daily routine they can pose a risk of failing performance, judgement or making decisions which will have an impact on those working.

Though MCI is often attributed to the increase of age there are other factors to consider that may result in an individual younger than the “norm” developing Cognitive Problems.  These include:

·         Disturbance of sleep can have a negative impact on cognitive function

·         Depression, anxiety or stress can have a negative impact on cognitive function

·         Alcohol abuse

·         Drug Abuse

·         Some medications can cause cognitive disfunction

·         People with thyroid problems

·         Head trauma – which in my case was the cause of my MCI

In some older people, MCI can often be a sign of complications such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is speculated that around 70% of people with MCI will develop dementia but it is important to note that not everyone with MCI will deteriorate.  Many people remain stable and some people have been known to improve and no longer have any problems.  This just reflects the different causes and effects.

#MCI #dementia #awareness

How I Am Coping With Mild Cognitive Impairment

In my article Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Interview with Dementia Mummy and her Husband, I revealed that I have Mild Cognitive Impairment.

This article is about how I cope with this impairment, the problems I face and my feelings about being MCI.

My Memory and How I cope

These are the 5 best coping techniques I have for coping with MCI, I use many more, but I think these really are my top 5:

1.    I keep lists, I make a lot of lists of things I have to do and put them on our utility door where I am more likely to see them.

2.    I have reminders – some are on little postIt notes, you know those little yellow sticky things, and I place these in place I am likely to see them like on my laptop.

3.    I have a daily routine, which helps me to do as much as possible in the day.

4.    I ask my friends and family to remind me (and hope their memory is better than mine) but it also means I can ask for help when I need it.

5.    I write down instructions, because like when learning anything new my brain just can’t retain the information – directions are the worst, so I write everything down to enable me to follow the same instructions repeatedly.

My diagnosis and How I feel About it

When I was first diagnoses I was relieved that finally I had a name for it and I wasn’t essentially going crazy.  There is a reason why my brain acts the way it does and this I can actually explain to people.

Having done my do-diligence and research I understand that the odds are almost in my favour as only about 15% of MCI patients develop Alzheimer’s.

I don’t often think of the macabre, but I’m sure many others do and if I do develop further and go down the Alzheimer’s route would I really be aware of my situation?  Would I need to think of my own immortality? Will my brain have the capacity to process these thoughts?

Would I have the same thoughts and feelings or anxieties that maybe a terminal cancer patient would?  I often think back on the courage and strength Jade Goody showed in her last few months and wonder if I too would have that much dignity and courage.  Would I actually know that eventually I was going to die?  Aren’t we all going to die eventually, and we don’t rest on those thoughts.

How I Am Coping

I honestly believe that I am coping quite well and that I am demonstrating great strength and courage. I turned my negatives into positives and I promote a better awareness and understanding of MCI.  I just hope that I can influence or encourage others to raise better awareness and maybe one day we together can find a cure for illnesses like Dementia and Alzheimers.

#MCI #Awareness #Dementia #Courage

Increasing Mild Cognitive Impairment Awareness

Through the work of various organisation Dementia and Alzheimer’s is receiving more media coverage and a better understanding of Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia is increasing.  But what of MCI? Doesn’t there need to be a greater attention paid to the needs of MCI?

MCI is for most a life-changing condition and for some MCI patients it is the stage before the more serious diagnosis of dementia.  If identified early enough MCI the person affected can have the opportunity to prolong their working life and plan how their future will be.

MCI or its longer descriptive name – Mild Cognitive Impairment – is a set of symptoms rather than a specific medical condition or disease. There isn’t a definitive model for MCI but symptoms include:

·         problems with day-to-day memory

·         language

·         attention

·         visuospatial and

·         planning

In MCI the symptoms are usual subtle, and you may not notice them all but it there will be a noticeable change from your previous self. Problems are usually not severe enough to interfere with routine daily life, but at work they can pose a risk to performance, judgment and decision-making.

For me MCI was caused by a head trauma, however, it can also be linked to an increase in age or any of the following:

·         disturbance of sleep

·         depression

·         anxiety

·         stress

·         drug or alcohol abuse

·         medications in particular sedatives

·         thyroid problems

·         Head Trauma

In older people, MCI can often be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease and around 70% of people with MCI develop dementia. However, it is important to note that not everyone with MCI will deteriorate; many remain stable over time and a few improve and no longer have any problems. It just depends on your unique situation.

For me personally the impact of having MCI was that it affects my mood and social interactions which has a negative impact on myself confident and esteem.  There is also an impact of change on my ability to organise, plan and make safe decisions.  It did mean that I eventually had to give up work due to the negative impact it was having.

There are currently 7.7 million employees over the age of 50 in the UK, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. With the abolition of the default retirement age, this number is increasing every year. By 2020, people older than 50 will represent 48% of the adult population, and 32% of the working-age population, according to the Office for National Statistics. This ageing demographic, along with the behavioural and lifestyle factors that are thought to be the major drivers of many MCIs, gives great cause for concern; up until now, employers have not really got to grips with the practical implications. In terms of Sickness and Health and Safety this is costing the UK businesses £627 million a year.

MCI can’t really be prevented there are many factors that make-up the risk factor.  However, there is research that offers evidence that intervention that improve physical health can have a positive impact on cognitive health.

Making the old saying (I believe by Hippocrates) “what is good for the heart is good for the brain” relatively true.

So, to reduce the risk try the following:

·         Look after your heart pressure, monitor it make sure it remains healthy

·         Manage as best you can your mental health such as depression

·         Try to reduce the levels of stress in your life

·         Try to give up smoking – personally I’m really struggling to do this as smoking reduces my stress and anxiety levels

·         Reduce alcohol intake

·         Try eating a balance healthy diet

·         Exercise as regular as you can, even sitting down you can exercise

·         Try to ensure you have a good sleeping pattern

On a personal note try to remain socially active and stimulated it really can have a positive impact.

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