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Supporting Cognition and Well-Being in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Intervention

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Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults

Abstract

About one in five older adults in the community have cognitive impairments greater than expected for age, but less severe than dementia. Activity-based interventions tailored to this important “in-between” group may help to extend continued independence in everyday functioning while sustaining mood and well-being. This chapter reviews research on cognitive wellness interventions for persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and describes a 1-year pilot intervention based on individualized plans for increasing cognitive and physical activity. The need for controlled trials of MCI interventions with follow-up and measurement of impacts beyond cognition (e.g., well-being and everyday function) is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Take Charge would not have been possible without the help of project staff members Teresa Fleming, Tammy Pence, Philomena Poole, and Mary Reines; physicians and social work staff at participating memory diagnostic clinics, including Ronald Kodras, Thomas Loepfe, Mark Sager, Robert Smith, and Marie Hornes; and financial support from the Helen Bader Foundation to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute for the memory clinic network and dementia outreach efforts. The persistence and efforts of Take Charge participants are also greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin, 7818 Big Sky Drive, Suite 215, Madison, WI, 53719, USA

    Asenath La Rue Ph.D.

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  1. Asenath La Rue Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Asenath La Rue Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Healthy Aging, W. Main St. 265, Kent, 44240-2403, Ohio, USA

    Paula E. Hartman-Stein

  2. School of Medicine & Public Health, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, University of Wisconsin, Big Sky Drive 7818, Madison, 53719, Wisconsin, USA

    Asenath LaRue

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Rue, A.L. (2011). Supporting Cognition and Well-Being in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Intervention. In: Hartman-Stein, P., LaRue, A. (eds) Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0636-6_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0636-6_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0635-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0636-6

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