What to do when a parent gets a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person has a slight but noticeable decline in memory or thinking skills beyond what is expected with normal aging. A lot of people chalk up cognitive challenges experienced with MCI to “I’m just getting older.” MCI may not totally interfere with daily living, but it can cause challenges and also can be a warning sign of future dementia. MCI is a common condition among older adults, yet something I had never heard about until my mother received the diagnosis. According to the Alzheimer's Association, approximately 12% to 18% of people age 60 or older have MCI. The risk of MCI increases with age, with about 37% of people age 85 or older having the condition.
If your parent is diagnosed with MCI, it’s important to support them through lifestyle changes that may help them manage their condition as well as help them plan for the scenario that it turns into dementia. What follows are four steps to take with your parent after they experience this diagnosis.
1. Learn more about their MCI diagnosis
The causes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are not fully understood, but there are a number of factors that may increase a person's risk, including:
Age: MCI is more common in older adults.
Family history: Having a family history of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, increases the risk of developing MCI.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression, can increase the risk of MCI.
Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity can also increase the risk of MCI.
In some cases, MCI may be caused by a specific underlying condition, such as a brain tumor, head injury, or thyroid problem. However, in many cases, no underlying cause can be identified. If there is an underlying medical condition or lifestyle decision that may be causing MCI, you probably want to work with a doctor to address it first.
2. Help them make lifestyle changes.
There are a number of lifestyle changes that may help to reduce the rate of decline experienced by MCI and the risk of developing dementia, including:
Eating a healthy diet rich in a variety of whole foods
Exercising or moving regularly
Getting enough high quality sleep
Managing stress
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
Staying mentally active
Maintaining social connections
3. Help them stay mentally active and make adjustments to daily routines.
Mental activity can help to keep your brain healthy and reduce your risk of cognitive decline. This can look different depending on one’s hobbies, but help them to engage daily in activities that challenge their mind, such as reading, puzzles, and games.
Making changes to daily routines can help a patient with MCI get ahead of future challenges. For example, if they don’t already, suggest your parent uses a calendar or planner to keep track of appointments and events. Get them in the habit of putting their keys and wallet in the same place every day. Help them make lists to remember things. It can feel repetitive, but I was always following my conversations with my mom by saying “did you write it down?”
4. Plan together for what will happen if the disease progresses.
One of the scariest parts of MCI is that it can be a precursor to Alzheimer’s or dementia. It does not always progress beyond MCI, but once a loved one has been diagnosed, it’s a good idea to talk about what might happen if their cognitive ability continues to decline. Every case of cognitive decline is unique – it's impossible to know how it will affect your parent. However, it does not hurt to have a plan for how they will be cared for in the case they need support in the future. I personally learned the hard way that if you don’t talk about the next Chapter before cognitive decline progresses, you may never fully know or understand your loved ones wishes and priorities.
Planning for that last chapter should include:
Gathering Key Documents – Get the will or trust, power of attorney and other key documents together in one place.
Discussing Healthcare Decisions – Understand the care they want and priorities in various health scenarios.
Organizing their finances – The structure and status of one's finances and regular expenses. Consider how this will affect future plans.
Funeral & Burial Wishes – Learn how they want to be memorialized and what should be done with their body.
Digital Legacy Legacy – Create a plan with devices, social media and online accounts.
Living with MCI can be challenging, but it is important to remember that your family is not alone. There are many things your parent can do to manage their condition and live a full and active life. I created Chapter to help families start the tough conversations and plans that will help them get through whatever next challenges they will face. Click here to have a free introductory conversation with Chapter to learn how we can help you gather wishes and plans from your loved one.