Pilot testing of a social participation intervention in people with mild cognitive impairment/early dementia and their carers/supporters

Macquarie University is developing a psychological intervention to increase social participation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia and their supporters/carers.  Both the person with mild cognitive impairment/dementia AND the supporter/carer will complete the study.

We are looking for PAIRS of people who are BOTH 60 years and older, where:
- One person has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia
- AND the other person is currently supporting/caring for the person with mild cognitive impairment/early dementia
- AND you would both like to improve your social connections.

The research team will screen your eligibility for this study over a phone call, which will involve completing a short telephone measure of cognition with the person with MCI/early dementia. You will be asked to complete some measurements (postal/online survey) that will take about 45 minutes to complete on demographics, mood (depression and anxiety), and social connection.

Then you will be asked to read a resource booklet with information about how to increase social connection and apply the strategies that are helpful to you over a 3-month period. To support you, a research assistant will arrange three to five 10-15 minute phone/videocalls to check in on how you’re doing.

After 3 months, you will be asked to complete the same measurements (posted/online survey) you completed at the start of the study on mood (depression and anxiety), and social connection. There will also be some extra questions about your satisfaction with the resource booklet. This will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.