An Intergenerational, Cognitively Enriched Intervention for MCI Patients and Their Children.

Needs Assessment in MCI Patients and Their Children based on Think Aloud Interviews

In 2018, approximately 50 million people received a diagnosis of dementia, which is projected
 to triple by 2050. To mitigate the increase in dementia, it is crucial to prevent cognitive
 decline in at risk groups, such as older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Recent
 research has demonstrated that combining physical (PA) and cognitive activities yields
 positive effects on the cognitive health of older adults. However, it is essential to explore
 effective ways of implementing this approach for MCI patients as it may help prevent
 dementia. An intergenerational program offers a novel and innovative method to achieve this
 goal by involving both older and younger generations in a single (exercise) program aimed at
 promoting the health behavior of both groups. Engaging children in an intergenerational,
 cognitively enriched exercise program for MCI patients primarily benefits the older adults
 while also providing advantages for the adult children. Therefore, this intergenerational
 project serves as a valuable and motivating force to enhance the physical, cognitive, and
 psychosocial health of MCI patients, with a secondary aim of positively impacting the adult
 children.
 
 Phase 1 of this project (=current study) involves developing the intergenerational,
 cognitively enriched exercise program. This will be accomplished using a theoretical
 framework in combination with a co-creation approach, which actively involves MCI patients in
 the intervention development. Ten thinkaloud interviews (lasting approximately 2 hours) will
 be conducted with MCI patients and one of their adult children. The insights gained from
 these interviews will be used to adapt an existing exercise intervention for MCI patients
 according to their specific needs. Prior to the interview, participants will also be asked to
 complete a short questionnaire that collects basic demographic information.