People with MCI may experience a complicated mix of fear, anxiety, sadness and frustration as they face new challenges with thinking, learning and remembering.

This group, which meets for one hour each week, provides a supportive and therapeutic environment for people who have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or very early stage dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease).

The group is appropriate for people who may be experiencing difficulties in social settings, at work or in other areas of their life as a result of problems with memory, organizing and planning.

People with memory concerns who do not have a formal diagnosis are encouraged to speak with group facilitators to find out if this group may be appropriate for them.

Overview of the group

This group is facilitated by a clinical psychologist and other trained mental health providers and will provide a supportive and open environment in which participants can express their thoughts and feelings, as well as share coping strategies with other people who experience similar problems.

The group facilitators help participants explore the interactions between thoughts, feelings and behaviors as the underlying structure of the program is guided by principles drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

The focus is also in large part determined by the needs of the group’s members, providing a mix of emotional coping tools to help manage stigma, shame, changes in lifestyle, and communication. Group members may also help each other cope by sharing their experiences with practical tools to help compensate for changes in memory or executive function (organization and planning).