The Enhance Protocol | Memory Loss Treatment

At The Summit at Sunland Springs, we provide more than just a safe and engaging senior living community; we provide a program that helps your loved one regain or maintain their independence. Our unique approach to Alzheimer’s care and memory care is based on research by renowned neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen. Whether you live at home or in our community, The Enhance Protocol can help.

What is The Enhance Protocol®?

The Enhance Protocol is a cutting-edge Alzheimer’s & Dementia treatment program designed to actually improve cognitive functioning. Based on the work by Dr. Dale Bredesen, The Enhance Protocol addresses the underlying causes that are contributing to cognitive decline. This program offers help, health, and a pathway to hope.

The Summit at Sunland Springs has brought this unique and revolutionary approach to our residents under the direction of A Mind For All Seasons and Randy Vawdrey, NP-C, MSN, who trained under Bredesen.

To see how The Enhance Protocol works to help those with Alzheimer’s disease, watch the video below. Facing Alzheimer’s and dementia can be overwhelming, but there is still hope.

Is Alzheimer’s the End of the Road?

Why Is There No Cure for Alzheimer’s?

A brain with Alzheimer’s is like a roof with 50 holes in it; if one hole is patched, the roof will still leak. Drug trials for Alzheimer’s have been unsuccessful because they addressed only one factor at a time. The work of Dr. Dale Bredesen and others has shown that Alzheimer’s is largely preventable when the ‘leaks in the roof’ are found and patched very early. People already living with advanced stages of the disease process also experience improvement when the root causes of their decline are identified and treated.

Integrative vs. Conventional Medicine

Instead of trying to address all of the different factors that contribute to dementia with a “miracle drug,” The Enhance Protocol takes all the good of conventional medicine but also includes the healing power of foods, vitamins, minerals, hormones, sleep, and lifestyle. It uses all appropriate therapies to address the causes of disease and dementia. Instead of addressing Alzheimer’s disease one factor at a time, The Enhance Protocol works to patch as many of the “holes in the roof” as possible.

In conventional medicine, medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) only treat the symptoms of dementia using drugs or surgery.

Integrative medicine (IM) is healing-oriented medicine that takes into account the whole person. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient and makes use of all appropriate therapies for disease and dementia.

Simply put, we can often stabilize and potentially improve the cognitive functioning of those with dementia, rather than simply provide good care in the midst of continual decline. We also offer The Enhance Protocol to the families of our residents to help each person optimize his or her cognitive health.

How does The Enhance Protocol work?

Lab Panels

The protocol starts with blood work and lab tests to determine the cause of the cognitive decline. We look for:

Vitamin Deficiency
Mineral Deficiency
Genetic Risk Factors
Hormone Deficiencies
Inflammatory Markers
Toxins in the Blood

Medical & Lifestyle History

We then conduct an extensive interview with the family about their medical and life history to pinpoint any contributing factors that may be less obvious. Often Military Service and working with armory or a favorite hobby of gardening can introduce toxins into the body.

Cognitive Testing

We administer the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and record a video interview to establish a cognitive baseline.

Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic diet is introduced to assist in reducing inflammation in the gut. A diet high in protein and fats and low in carbohydrates has been found to aid in cognitive function and fuel brain health.

Treatment Plan

We create a custom roadmap for the course of treatment and implementation.

An individualized treatment plan is created after analyzing the data and presented to the family to review in detail. The Enhance Protocol may include interventions in their sleep, diet, medications, hormones, exercise, social engagement, stress reduction, use of therapy devices, and brain training. Implementing the protocol is always focused on meeting the individual needs and limitations of the resident.

Exercise

Tailored brain and physical exercises may include:

Cardio and weight training to release BDNF and related hormones
Cross lateral connectivity and sensory cortex exercises
Exercise with Oxygen Therapy
Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy
Audio-Visual Entrainment Therapy

One on One Support

Family and resident support by our on-staff Memory Coach. At the three month mark, we replicate the MoCA, video interview, and lab work to review progress.

“It is so rewarding to give someone back their mother or father because we are able to take the time and investigate what is contributing to their cognitive decline”. Robeson Flynn – Memory Coach

Enhance Protocol Testimonials

Mother Suffers From Dementia

“One year ago, she started on The Enhance Protocol, and within one week she was making amazing strides! Prior to the start of treatment, she was seeing full body hallucinations, was calling the police almost nightly, had lost over 50 pounds, and was refusing to eat or drink. Thanks to the caring staff at The Summit, testing was done that revealed multiple essential vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as hormonal deficiencies. She was on the verge of hospitalization and was deteriorating rapidly when treatment was started. Within one week of the start of her hormone replacement therapy, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and a healthy diet restricted in sugar, my mother’s nightmare hallucinations were gone, and she is brighter and more interactive. She has been on The Enhance Protocol for a year now, and has gained 8 pounds, is stable and doing great! While the Enhance program cannot take away my mother’s dementia, I can say that the program is amazing.” – Anonymous

Watch: Susan’s Story on How Enhance Brought Her Husband Back

Want to Learn More About The Enhance Protocol?

The Enhance Protocol is available at The Summit at Sunland Springs in Mesa, Arizona. If you are interested in learning more about our innovative Alzheimer’s treatment program for yourself or a loved one feel free to give us a call or leave your information below and we will call you.

Upcoming Events

Additional Resources

The Enhance Protocol offers something for everyone wanting to improve brain health. If you would like to learn how about The Enhance Protocol, call our experts at 480-418-9691.

For more information specifically on Dr. Bredesen’s research, follow these links: