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Book group: Coping with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

In Coping with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), author Mary Jordan explores MCI and shares practical advice on living with the condition.

This includes tips on physical health, memory aids and planning for the future. 

Mary, who has experience of caring for friends and family with dementia, was in the armed services and worked for the NHS and Alzheimer’s Society. She now runs her own dementia support organisation. 

Clear advice on MCI

First and foremost, this 10-chapter book is a useful guide, says reviewer Philip, whose wife Alison was diagnosed with MCI about three years ago. 

‘It reinforces some commonsense ideas and thoughts, and left us feeling better informed. It also chimes with what we’re experiencing in many ways.’ 

Mark, who has been diagnosed with MCI, also felt comforted by the book. 

‘I started the book with some trepidation, expecting to find it challenging and possibly upsetting. This was not the case at all. 

Reading the book made me feel better, confirming that I was doing the right things to manage my condition. 

‘The author clearly knows a lot about the subject and delivers the information in an easy-to-understand format with the use of real-life examples from people she has worked with.’  

MCI explained

The book opens with a deep-dive into what MCI is – and tries to clarify the differences between dementia and MCI. 

Julie, who was diagnosed with MCI over a year and a half ago, says some of this left her confused. 

‘In the second paragraph of the first chapter, it says you cannot diagnose MCI and later that, at present time, in the UK MCI is not considered to be a medical condition or a disease. ’ 

With my MCI, this threw my head into a tailspin.

Despite this, Julie says the book is packed with practical information. 

Helpful tips about MCI

Another section focuses on self-help strategies. For example, there are a wealth of helpful tips for daily living, explains Mark. 

‘From always keeping items in the same place, to doing regular chores like bathing or the laundry,’ he says. 

It is comforting to have explained some of the strange changes that might be happening to you, but not to be afraid of them.

Tweaks to the design could make the advice even more helpful, adds Philip. 

‘I appreciate that colour would be too expensive, but some change in layout, or inserting some more spaces, sketches or diagrams – almost any graphic – could help.’ 

Planning ahead 

The later chapters of the book look at planning for the future, including legal issues, and for a possible dementia diagnosis. 

Mark says the advice is reassuring. 

‘Reading the book put my cognitive impairment into context and has encouraged me to be more active in its management. 

‘For example, my wife had sorted out lasting power of attorney in somewhat of a rush about nine months ago.

‘Reading the book put my cognitive impairment into context and has encouraged me to be more active in its management. 

‘Now we are taking the time together to sort out more precisely what I would (and wouldn’t) like to happen in the future, in a series of caring and considered conversations.’  

It was a good feeling, to take back some control of my life.

Mark also believes that these chapters are useful for health professionals who support people with dementia. 

‘They could distil much of the information down into brief handy hints, helping people address their changes and providing simple ways they could maintain their independence and functionality.’ 

Target audience 

Our reviewers agree that, although the book is clear, jargon-free and well laid out, the text is too dense for people with advanced MCI. 

This means it’s best suited to people who’ve been more recently diagnosed, and their friends, family and carers. 

‘For me personally, I found it hard to get through it,’ says Julie. ‘I had to ask my daughter to look through it too. She found it easier to read than me. ’

I’ve been given several books that give the same information in a much simpler way. 

Mark seconds what Julie says. 

‘The book is written and presented clearly, but for someone who already has MCI it can be a bit long-winded, as concentrating for that long can be difficult. 

‘I’d recommend the book to anyone starting to find themselves more forgetful and confused than they used to be. And it may be good for friends and family members who may have initial concerns about a loved one. 

‘It would also be extremely useful for professionals who work with clients and carers in this area.’ 

Coping with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), by Mary Jordan (Jessica Kingsley, 2020), 224 pages, £16.99, ISBN: 9781787750906. Also available as an ebook.