Optimizing Health Outcomes for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Host Institution: Baycrest Health Sciences
A group of psychologists and a social worker at Baycrest Health Sciences in Toronto designed an intervention program for people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) called Learning the Ropes for Living with MCI. With an award of $49,675 from CABHI, they are scaling up the program to reach beyond the research setting to help more people with the brain disorder living in the community.
One in ten Canadian seniors experiences MCI, an identifiable cognitive decline that indicates a future risk of dementia. Behavioural approaches focused on cognitive strategies and brain healthy lifestyles have been proven effective, whereas pharmacological interventions may not be effective. Learning the Ropes for Living with MCI focuses on optimizing cognitive health through lifestyle choices, memory training and psychosocial support.
The project team members will produce program materials and facilitator manuals for healthcare professionals, create a real-time video conferencing version of the program to extend access to older adults who have geographical or other barriers to access, and develop a train-the-trainer webinar for health professionals. They also plan to commercialize the program to fund the costs of maintaining a website and keeping the content up-to-date on an ongoing basis. An ideal outcome for this project will increase the overall scalability and adoption of the program, establish a business plan, and publish program materials online.