Chapman University

Engaging MCI Patients & Partners with Education, Wellness & Resilience (EMPOWER) Program

The proposed Engaging MCI Patients & Partners with Education, Wellness & Resilience (EMPOWER) Program is a collaborative, interdisciplinary behavioral health program in Chapman University’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, designed to address the unique psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of women with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Orange County. It primarily addresses the aging life stage identified in the OCCF Women’s Health Initiative RFP. Women with MCI face increased depression, anxiety, caregiver dependence, transportation barriers, and reduced access to social support. Additionally, among people with MCI, women experience a faster decline in their mental abilities and daily functioning over time compared to men. MCI is known as a major risk factor for the future development of dementia, but it is not synonymous with dementia. Unfortunately, it is often grouped with dementia in community support, education, and data collection, leading to a lack of attention to issues specific to MCI. The goal of this program is to provide access to free and in-person care for women with MCI and their support partners by integrating behavioral health into rehabilitation through peer support groups. The groups will be facilitated by faculty and graduate trainees in speech-language pathology (SLP) and marriage and family therapy (MFT). This innovative program combines rehabilitation and behavioral health within a gender-responsive, interdisciplinary care model that simultaneously supports women and their support system. It addresses a specific need and will support teaching the next generation of healthcare workers to understand the special needs of women, MCI and aging.