Needs of Patients with Mild Cognitive Disorders in a Specialist Practice

OBJECTIVE To describe the needs of care for patients with mild cognitive impairment (PmMCI). METHODS Survey of 51 PmMCI in a specialist care practice. Questionnaire based on the CANE assessment scale. Control variables among others are MMST and GDS. RESULTS 35 % or 8 % experienced memory disorder as moderate or severe and 27 % or 8 % felt impaired frequently or continuous in everyday life. Over 70 % were in a balanced mood despite the memory problems. Physician-related expectations: follow-up (96 %), dementia risk assessment (73 %), memory training (55 %), drug treatment (33 %). Drug-related expectations: appreciable effect (41 %), willingness to endure side effects (29 %), preference for herbal medication (59 %). Non-drug therapy expectations: athletic activation (63 %), memory training (51 %) and nutritional counselling (37 %). The desire for psychotherapeutic discussions (27 %) was associated with higher depression levels of GDS. CONCLUSION PmMCI experienced memory disorder as a burden and impairment. They expected diagnostic and therapeutic support. PmMCI with depressive symptoms expected psychotherapeutic treatment.