Dementia Support Line
‘My Life My Way’: Support for people living with mild cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects many people over the age of 65 and some cases progress to dementia. Find out about our research to provide support for people with MCI.
Lead investigator: Siobhan Casey
- Institution: Trinity College Dublin
- Duration: 12 months
- Amount: £19,000
Project summary
To support people living with mild cognitive impairment to make positive lifestyle changes through the 'My Life My Way' programme.
What do we know already?
It is estimated that between five and twenty per cent of people over the age of 65 have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People living with MCI have a greater risk of going on to develop dementia. It has been suggested that the development of dementia can be delayed or potentially prevented when the person is provided with the appropriate assistance in adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Age Northern Ireland have a ‘My Life My Way’ service which has positively impacted the lives of over 1,600 people living with dementia and their carers They have achieved this through a person-centred approach focused on outcomes important to the individual.
What does the project involve?
Siobhan’s project will extend the ‘My Life My Way’ service to include people living with MCI. With the support of one part-time MCI advisor and ten volunteers.
The programme will support people with MCI both prior to a post diagnosis. Participants will learn about healthy lifestyle changes and select those appropriate for them through a programme of detailed individual support alongside peer support
This skilled team will act as a bridge between existing care, community and voluntary services to help older people access necessary services and engagement opportunities.
This project will support around twenty people in the Antrim and Ballymena areas of North Antrim, Northern Ireland in partnership with Age Northern Ireland and the Northern Health & Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. This location was chosen as it holds the highest proportion of people living with dementia in Northern Ireland.
How will this project help people with dementia?
The team hope that the participants in the study will find that they have the knowledge, confidence and supportive environment that they need in order to make healthy lifestyle choices.
