A bimonthly support and educational series for people and families living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Healthy Living with MCI classes offer attendees support, guidance and science-backed strategies for living and coping with a diagnosis of MCI. Dr. Nathaniel Chin, a memory clinic doctor with UW Heath and medical director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, is medical director of the series. Participation is free.
The Healthy Living with MCI series is co-sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter. Learn about Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter's early stage programs designed for individuals with MCI.
Register for upcoming Healthy Living with MCI classes.
2022 class schedule
- January 14 — "Clearing the Air about Cigarettes and the Aging Brain." Learn about the latest research on cigarette smoking and its effects on the brain, and how research shows quitting at any age can reduce a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and slow cognitive decline. Presented by Adrienne Johnson, PhD, an assistant scientist at the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI), and Nathaniel Chin, MD. Watch the recording
- March 25, 10 a.m.–noon — "How to Practice Self-Care During a Pandemic." Our guest will help us understand the fears and anxieties that are heightened during this time and offers recommendations on ways to practice self-care. Participants will discuss and try different self-care activities. Presented by Art Walaszek, MD, geriatric psychiatrist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and Nathaniel Chin, MD, medical director of the Healthy Living with MCI series. Watch the recording
- May 20, 9:30–11:30 a.m. — This program has been rescheduled for July 8. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope you will join us then.
- July 8, 9:30–11:30 a.m. — "The Importance of Social Engagement and Strategies for Improved Communication.” Our guest will help us understand how enhancing cognitive and social engagement can positively influence cognition and quality of life. Participants will also learn strategies for helping people with MCI better communicate with the people around them. Presented by Kimberly Mueller, PhD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor in the UW-Madison Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Nathaniel Chin, MD, medical director of the Healthy Living with MCI series.
- September 16, 9:30–11:30 a.m. — "How Drugs Get Developed." Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, will help us understand how clinical trials work and the phases a drug must go through before it is approved for use. Register
- November 18, 9:30–11:30 a.m. — "An Overview." Nathaniel Chin, MD, and Bonnie Nuttkinson, MS, from the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Jennifer McAlister, BA, from the Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter will share information about MCI, the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the Health Living with MCI educational series, living well with chronic conditions and Alzheimer's Association services. The program will end with a Q&A session. Register
What is mild cognitive impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more pronounced decline of dementia. Learn more about MCI on our What Is Alzheimer's Disease? webpage, or listen to this Dementia Matters podcast episode with Dr. Nathaniel Chin.
Videos from Past Classes
"How to Practice Self-Care During a Pandemic" – Featuring guest speaker Art Walaszek, MD, geriatric psychiatrist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (March 2022)
"Clear the Air about Cigarettes and the Aging Brain" – Featuring guest speaker Adrienne Johnson, PhD, an assistant scientist at the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) (January 2022)
"Medications, Vitamins and Supplements" – Featuring guest speaker Ann Schwartzwald, RPh, pharmacy consultant, O'Connell Pharmacy (December 2021)
"Exercise Your Way to Better Brain Health" – Featuring guest speakers Max Gaitan, MEd, and Sarah Lose, MS (September 2021)
"Nutrition in Action" – Presented by Michelle Braun, PhD, neuropsychologist and national leader in the field of brain health (June 2021)
"Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)" – Presented by Bonnie Nuttkinson and Dr. Nathaniel Chin for Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL). View video here, with access passcode: 7FV9u5y! (April 2021)
"Legal and Financial Planning" – Presented by Carol Wessels, elder law attorney and an owner of Wessels & Liebau LLC (March 2021)
"Cognitive and Social Engagement" – Presented by Dr. Kimberly Mueller (December 2019)
