“Catch Mild Cognitive Impairment Early: Act Now, Remember More”

As we age, our bodies undergo a variety of changes that affect physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Among these, cognitive health is often overlooked. Despite the significant impact that cognitive decline can have on overall well-being and quality of life, it is not always given the attention it deserves. Several factors contribute to this issue including misattribution to aging, lack of awareness, underreporting by patients, priority on physical health, stigma and denial, limited resources and support. Given these challenges, it is important to raise awareness about the importance of cognitive health in older adults, encourage regular cognitive assessments, and promote early intervention strategies.

A. Menarini, a fully owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group—a renowned Italian pharmaceutical company with over 135 years of history—has partnered with CARiNG Pharmacy Malaysia and ACT4Health Sdn Bhd, a social enterprise spin-off from the University of Malaya, to launch the "Catch Mild Cognitive Impairment Early: Act Now, Remember More" campaign. This initiative aims to promote awareness and early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Is cognitive health the same as mental health? The answer is No! Cognitive health pertains to the brain's well-being, while mental health relates to our emotional and psychological state. A healthy brain is essential for learning, memory, and decision-making, all of which are necessary for daily functioning. 

Elements of good cognitive health

However, when cognitive abilities begin to decline, it can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being, a condition known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). People with MCI often experience difficulties such as finding the right words, frequently misplacing items, or forgetting important events. Unlike dementia and other severe cognitive conditions, individuals with MCI typically retain their ability to care for themselves and continue with daily activities. In contrast, dementia patients often face challenges in self-care and may experience severe symptoms like hallucinations and paranoia. MCI is considered a stage where the progression of cognitive decline can be slowed or potentially improved through healthy lifestyle choices and diet.

Sign or symptoms of having MCI

Reaching out to more Malaysians for early detection to slow down the development of MCI

A. Menarini, CARiNG Pharmacy, and ACT4Health have collaborated to offer the Visual Cognitive Assessment Test (VCAT) at select CARiNG Pharmacy outlets in Malaysia. This test aims to raise awareness about Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) among Malaysians and help individuals assess their risk of MCI, enabling early diagnosis and intervention if needed.

Dementia vs MCI 

VCAT consists of a series of visual and cognitive tasks designed to evaluate various aspects of cognitive function, such as memory and attention. These tasks include pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, memory recall, and decision-making. After completing the test, the results are analyzed to provide an overview of the individual’s cognitive health and determine whether further involvement from healthcare professionals is necessary.

Free VCAT test offered to public at selected CARiNG Pharmacy 

Commenting on the campaign, Bu Min Yee, Senior Training Executive/Pharmacist, CARiNG Pharmacy, shared, “This exclusive partnership with A. Menarini is a way to advance our commitment to increasing awareness of MCI and promoting early detection. At CARiNG Pharmacy, we are community-driven and here to drive early detection and empower our consumers to take the next steps. We want to ensure that if the VCAT shows early signs of MCI, they are guided to healthcare providers like ACT4Health for more specific diagnoses. The main goal of this tri-partnership is to enable the community and educate them about MCI and prevention strategies.

Qualified pharmacist at selected CARiNG Pharmacy to handle the VCAT test

Empowering ourselves with health literacy for early detection

While there is no curative treatment for severe cognitive impairment, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive management strategy to prepare patients and their caregivers for the challenges ahead, with a primary focus on improving quality of life.

“Statistics from the AGELESS research project show that up to one in five individuals aged 60 years and over experience memory loss whereas four out of ten are socially vulnerable. For many, the memory deficits can be transient, while for others, this can be considered an early sign of dementia.

The AGELESS project has enhanced our ability to recognise cognitive frailty early by defining groups that are more likely to develop cognitive frailty but, more importantly, groups that can recover,” Professor Dr Tan Maw Pin, Geriatric Medicine Consultant, Founder and Managing Director of ACT4Health Sdn Bhd shared.

Professor Dr Tan added, “Everyone needs to understand that their health is also their responsibility, and as caregivers to older family members, we must also remember to empower them to seek help early. This also means that besides going in for regular eye and dental check-ups or blood tests, cognitive health can benefit from regular medical check-ups, especially if we notice early signs or have relatives with MCI.

One of the CARiNG pharmacy outlets in Selangor

Addressing cognitive health proactively can help improve the quality of life for elderly individuals and support their independence for as long as possible. Through the ⁠“Catch Mild Cognitive Impairment Early: Act Now, Remember More” campaign, A. Menarini, CARiNG Pharmacy and ACT4Health hope to emphasise the importance of understanding and addressing MCI. The VCAT is now available free of charge at selected CARiNG Pharmacy outlets. 

For more details on test availability and locations, please visit the CARiNG Pharmacy official Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/caring2u?mibextid=ZbWKwL].