Increased awareness of MCI within and in relation to the BAME

A quality improvement project conducted as part of the Dementia Academy 'Mild cognitive impairment virtual course' which ran from March-September 2021.

Background

There is a significant South Asian population in Greater Manchester, and within this population there are several different languages, cultures and religions which all impact how people understand and relate to dementia, and how they will interact with a healthcare professional around this.

Clinical Deficit

There is a requirement for better understanding of MCI amongst South Asian populations, where cognitive decline is often assumed to be a natural part of aging, or a religious intervention. There is also a need for increased understanding of social, cultural and religious backgrounds amongst healthcare professionals to optimise their services and to tailor lifestyle modifications to people with MCI from South Asian populations.

Aims of intervention

To improve understanding amongst both South Asian populations and healthcare professionals across Greater Manchester around MCI and its management within the social, cultural, linguistic and religious framework of South Asian populations:

Methodology

The development of two distinct educational presentations.

1: For South Asian populations, the presentation details:

• the difference between MCI and dementia,

• what the symptoms of MCI are and when to visit your doctor,

• treatment, management and supporting brain health

• the benefits of diagnosing MCI.

This presentation has been translated into several Asian languages and is being offered in culturally significant places including mosques, churches, and places of refuge for asylum seekers.

2: For healthcare professionals across Greater Manchester:

• background and information to develop and improve cultural awareness,

• improve understanding of culture, practices and diversity in relation to healthcare support and specifically MCI and dementia.

This presentation has been developed with a layered approach to information, so that it can be delivered with key messages in a 1-hour session, or as a half-day training course.

Delivery will follow the same model that Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind have previously used to roll out training of this kind for dementia.

Outcomes

The presentations are complete, but have yet to be used given the social parameters set by the coronavirus pandemic, and the pressures being felt across healthcare at present.