Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition in which some cognitive functions begin to show greater decline than the normally occurs with age. The changes that occur in the brain are similar to the changes seen in Alzheimer’s patients. In fact, it can be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s Disease. But it may also remain stable for years, and sometimes even improve. Here are a few things to know about MCI and how home care can help.

Risk Factors for Developing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

While the general cause of MCI is simply age and genetics, there are other lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of developing this disease that affects a person’s ability to think clearly and remember important information.

• Lack of mentally stimulating activities
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor sleep habits, especially those due to obstructive sleep apnea
• Health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol
• Smoking
• Depression
• Obesity
• Low education level
• Multiple head injuries

Reducing the Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Making lifestyle changes to the areas of life that are changeable is a big step in reducing the risk of MCI developing. If your loved one has already been diagnosed with MCI, making changes to these areas can help prevent the disease from progressing.

• Stop smoking and don’t drink excessive amounts of alcohol
• Manage any current health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure to prevent damage to the brain from those diseases.
• Eat a healthy diet and stay active.
• Maintain connections with others to stay engaged with the world around them.
• Don’t forget to exercise the brain by learning new things and playing engaging brain games.

MCI Patients Can Live Independently with Support from Home Care

Most MCI patients don’t need round-the-clock care, but they do need assistance in some decision-making and memory-related responsibilities. They might find it difficult to drive so they’ll need help with transportation. They might find it hard to prepare a meal or follow a recipe. They might also forget important appointments such as doctors, dentists, or even family fun events.

One option to help your loved one to continue to live independently is to have a professional home care provider stop by to assist with certain tasks depending on which ones your loved one seems to be struggling with the most. You might have someone help with transportation, meal preparation, or house cleaning. A home provider is someone who can visit and help your loved one with personal care tasks that she might be forgetting to take care of on her own, or is struggling with. Home care can help your loved one do such things as care for nails by trimming, cleaning, and conditioning them each week. If your loved one needs help with bathing or washing her hair, a personal care at home provider can help in those situations as well.

Receiving care at home is one way to help your loved one feel more confident in her home and be prepared for when she leaves that home. She may also feel more open to sharing any concerns she has about her abilities to care for herself, opening up that conversation so she can find the assistance she needs to continue to live independently.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Potomac, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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