Finding a Sense of Purpose in MCI

Mar 11 7:00am | Dr. Anni Shandera-Ochsner, HABIT Midwest Director | @dranneshanderaochsner | Comments (16)

What gives you a sense of meaning and purpose? Chances are that your answer involves some sort of activity that connects you with other people and/or a cause that is important to you. The need for purpose is a universal human one. Dr. Chandler wrote a very nice post about this topic some years ago that you can access here. Read more about the specific health benefits of having a purpose here.

With the changes in memory and other thinking abilities, people with MCI can find some hobbies and activities become challenging to continue. When this happens, it is vitally important to find replacement activities that can be enjoyed and provide a sense of purpose regardless of memory difficulties. Failure to engage in a new purpose-filled endeavor can lead to isolation, which is associated with worse outcomes in MCI and dementia.

How does one find a new hobby or group? Fortunately, there are usually a multitude of options that are MCI-friendly in your community. Consider talking to a leader at your local senior center (find yours here) or through any faith-based organizations you belong to. Local libraries are also a wonderful source of offerings for older adults. If you're a lover of physical exercise, check out your local department of parks and recreation for senior-focused offerings.

It's important to note that you may need to try a few different activities to find a good fit, with people you feel a connection to, so keep an open mind, and be patient!

Chime in by commenting below: what have you or your loved one found to satisfy the need for purpose while also living with MCI?

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) blog.

kayraymat | @kayraymat | Mar 18 9:13am

In reply to @oldgoat "kinda :)" + (show)

Forgot to ask: How old is the "old goat? "
I don't think there are any restrictions on age
to use the senior center. k

oldgoat | @oldgoat | Mar 18 9:45am

In reply to @kayraymat "Forgot to ask: How old is the "old goat? " I don't think there are any..." + (show)

The old goat is 72 and getting older. 🙂

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 28 11:36am

In reply to @kayraymat "kinda?? What does that mean? Tell me your interests & maybe I can recommend some authors........." + (show)

@kayraymat, as someone who likes books and likes to discuss them, I thought you might appreciate these areas on Connect:

- What are you reading? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-are-you-reading/
- Books About Illness: Your Recommendations?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/books-about-being-sick/
- Read. Talk. Grow. Podcast Blog https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/read-talk-grow/

kayraymat | @kayraymat | Mar 29 6:56am

Thank you, Colleen. How very thoughtful of you.
I will check them out.K

bluebird1953 | @bluebird1953 | 6 days ago

Since my sister passed 2 years ago, I feel so lost, she was not well and depended on me to take her places and we shopped together, or went for lunches or she liked me to come over for dinner at least twice a week. She was very controlling and opinionated but I could not bring myself to tell her no, even if I had other plans. Had I only known how much I would miss so much about her daily calls and taking her places. Everyone told me to stand up for myself, so I did and we didn’t speak for a few weeks. She called me the day I was on my way to the airport for a trip. I was too busy to answer. She passed away a few days after I got to Mexico. I regret every day that I didn’t say goodbye to her, and that our last conversation was an argument. I haven’t felt a sense of purpose since then.

elm123 | @elm123 | 5 days ago

In reply to @bluebird1953 "Since my sister passed 2 years ago, I feel so lost, she was not well and..." + (show)

Try to remember all the good and funny times you had together - that is a way to honor your sister. My sister died three years ago and I still miss her very, very much. I try to be thankful that we shared such a great relationship, but of course there were times when we fought. I think that shows how important we were to each other. Thinking of you and hoping you feel better.