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- Because we've become much more aware of dementia,
and we've been reviewing many more people with dementia,
or looking for people with dementia,
we've discovered many more people
with mild cognitive impairment.
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- Well, I'd become increasingly bothered
that I was forgetting things.
Mainly how to do things,
things that I'd done hundreds, thousands times before.
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- Well, I think the first thing,
the most important thing is to recognise that there is
an issue and to listen to what people have got to say.
People know how they feel, they know what they're observing.
So it's to take it seriously and not just put it down
to age or put it down to circumstances.
It's to listen to carers,
and I think it's about making objective assessment
of the situation.
Then as a GP, following that what I would probably do
is arrange a series of investigations.
One of which would be to think about some of the,
let's do some blood tests because sometimes there
are some physical causes of memory impairment.
I would probably organise a memory assessment.
But then it's also about looking at things like medication
because there are some medications that affect
a person's ability to think clearly.
- GPs are key to recognising memory problems
as well as making sure that those individuals
who have some memory difficulties get referred
to the appropriate services.
Whether that be to a local mental health services
or memory services.
It is important so that at least it gets explored
and then we have a conversation with that individual
and that individual's family in terms of what it means
for them as well as planning for the future.
- As a GP, much of the information I get
around mild cognitive impairment I will get from a memory,
local memory assessment clinic.
But now we have some really proactive charities as well
that support this work and they provide really good services
for people mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
So, Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society
both provide really helpful information.
- When a person is diagnosed
with mild cognitive impairments,
clinicians can refer them on for support
through other organisations for anything really
that will keep their mind and body active.
A walking group, an exercise class,
or just a social group really.
- So, we know with people with mild cognitive impairment
about 10% of people might go on to develop dementia.
We're not a 100% sure, we think it's about 10%,
it could be up to 15% of people.
We also know that by identifying these people early
and by helping people to change their lifestyle,
address things like smoking, alcohol, blood pressure,
and also by adapting exercises to promote brain activity,
that risk of developing dementia is reduced.
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- As consultant psychiatrist working in a memory service,
I do see on a daily basis of individual's
with mild memory problems but I'm certain there are
a number out there in the community that do struggle
but they haven't been recognised.
So, I think it's a shared responsibility
within both primary and secondary care.
And I guess even acute trust to ensure these individuals
are highlighted so that we can follow them up
and assess them and support them in the right way.
But we also have to be mindful of giving
the right diagnosis at the right time.
- It almost improved just as soon as I knew
there was a problem, if that makes sense.
It took away the panic and the fear and the worry
that there was something wrong.
- In Age UK Trafford,
we have identified the gap involving people
with mild cognitive impairment,
so things can be done and you can help prevent dementia
in the long term by supporting people
with mild cognitive impairment.
- New drugs are coming that are likely to prevent
or delay the onset of dementia.
By people with mild cognitive impairment taking part
in research they are likely to get those drugs.