Engaging Diverse Populations in Behavioral Interventions for MCI

Dr. Shellie-Anne Levy, a postdoctoral fellow within our lab, was recently awarded an Alzheimer’s Association grant entitled “Engaging Diverse Populations in Behavioral Interventions for MCI.” This pilot study will examine the barriers to recruitment, enrollment, and retention of older African Americans to a successful and already established cognitive rehabilitation program (HABIT®) to prevent progression in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The HABIT® (Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking) program, spearheaded by Dr. Glenn Smith, is an intensive, multicomponent, 10-day program with memory support training, computerized brain fitness, yoga, separate support groups for participants and their partners, and wellness education.  This program has been successful in improving memory self-efficacy and prolonging functional independence for its predominantly Caucasian participants.  Dr. Levy’s goal is to improve minority access to this behavioral intervention to determine its potential benefits for improved functional outcomes for African Americans.