What follow-up strategies should I implement for patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment to monitor progression?

Follow-up strategies for patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) should include:

• Regular monitoring through follow-up appointments or contact at a specified future date if the patient is not using other services, to assess for any progression of cognitive symptoms or development of dementia.
• Ensuring that patients and their family members or carers have access to memory services or equivalent multidisciplinary dementia services for ongoing assessment and support.
• At each review, reassessing cognitive function and the impact on daily life, including behavioural and psychological symptoms, ideally with input from someone who knows the patient well.
• Providing information and support to patients and carers about the condition, available services, and how to seek help if needs change.
• Offering opportunities for early and ongoing advance care planning discussions, including preferences for future care and legal arrangements.

These strategies aim to detect progression from MCI to dementia early and to provide timely support and intervention as needed ¹.