Dementia and Alzheimer's Support
A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia does not end the conversation about what can still be done. It changes the conversation. The question shifts from prevention to: what factors are still active and addressable, how much functional reserve remains, and what can we do to protect it.
This is not a claim that we treat dementia or reverse an established diagnosis. We do not. What we do is evaluate and address the physiological factors that continue to drive neurological decline after a diagnosis, because those factors do not stop being active once the disease has a name. In many cases they have been active for a decade or more without being identified or addressed, and addressing them now still matters.
We also work with families navigating this. The person sitting across from us is not always the one with the diagnosis. Sometimes it is a spouse or adult child who wants to understand what is driving the decline, what can still be influenced, and what that process looks like.
What continues to drive decline after diagnosis
The same physiological factors that contribute to cognitive decline in the years before a diagnosis continue operating after one. Inflammation, insulin resistance, hormonal deficiencies, poor sleep quality, toxic burden, and nutrient deficiencies do not resolve on their own. In people already dealing with neurological disease, unaddressed metabolic and inflammatory load can accelerate the progression of symptoms that might otherwise move more slowly.
Identifying which of these factors are active in a given person requires testing that standard dementia care does not routinely include. A memory specialist will assess cognitive function and may prescribe medication to slow symptom progression. They will not typically run a fasting insulin, a full hormone panel, a homocysteine level, an amino acid that damages blood vessels and nervous tissue when it accumulates, or a mold toxin screen. We do, because those results change what we can offer.
What the evaluation looks like
We start with a comprehensive functional medicine intake that includes a dedicated neurocognitive section. For someone already diagnosed, we gather a detailed history of how symptoms have progressed, what has already been tried, what medications are currently in use, and what the person and their family most want to address. We also take the full history of the factors known to influence cognitive trajectory: sleep, cardiovascular health, metabolic function, toxic exposures, hormonal history, and gut function.
From there we run advanced functional medicine testing to identify which contributing factors are still active. Depending on what the history suggests, this typically includes fasting insulin and glucose, a full thyroid panel, comprehensive hormone testing, inflammatory markers, homocysteine, nutrient levels, and where indicated, heavy metal and mold toxin testing.
The plan we build from those results uses the tools we have: nutritional and supplement protocols targeting the specific deficiencies and imbalances we find, dietary changes that support glucose metabolism and reduce inflammatory load, sleep optimization, acupuncture for nervous system regulation, autonomic support, and sleep quality, and chiropractic care where circulation and structural factors are relevant. We coordinate with the prescribing neurologist or medical doctor. Any changes to medication stay with them.
Progress is measured at follow-up visits. We track the modifiable factors, not the diagnosis itself, because the diagnosis is what it is. What changes is the load the brain is carrying on top of it.
What is realistic
Reducing the metabolic and inflammatory burden on a brain already affected by Alzheimer's disease does not restore what has been lost. That needs to be stated plainly. What it can do is slow the rate at which further ground is lost, improve daily function and energy, support better sleep, and address symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, and confusion that have causes beyond the primary diagnosis and respond to treatment.
The earlier in the disease course this work begins, the more functional reserve remains to protect. That is true whether the diagnosis came recently or several years ago. There is no point at which contributing factors stop being worth addressing.
If you are looking for an evaluation that goes beyond the standard memory care conversation, that is what this is.
Common questions
Is this appropriate for someone who has just been diagnosed, or only for later stages?
It is appropriate at any stage, and the earlier the better. A recent diagnosis means more functional reserve remains to protect. Someone further along still has contributing factors worth addressing, and doing so still affects the rate of decline and the severity of non-cognitive symptoms like sleep disruption, fatigue, and mood changes.
Will this interfere with medications prescribed by the neurologist?
No. We do not adjust, recommend stopping, or substitute for prescribed medications. Any medication decisions stay with the prescribing neurologist or medical doctor. Our role is to evaluate and address the physiological factors running alongside the primary diagnosis, and we share findings with the rest of the care team.
My family member has Alzheimer's. Can I bring them in, or do they need to come on their own?
Family members are welcome and often essential to the intake process. A detailed history of how symptoms have developed, what has already been tried, and what the person's daily function looks like is part of how we build the evaluation. If the person with the diagnosis cannot provide that history themselves, having a family member present makes the intake far more useful.
What does the testing cost, and is any of it covered by insurance?
Functional medicine evaluation and the advanced testing we run are typically not covered by standard insurance plans. Costs vary depending on which tests the history suggests. Call us at 704-663-2010 before scheduling and we will walk you through what is typically involved.
Services involved in this care plan
Functional Medicine Acupuncture Chiropractic CareAlso see: Memory loss and cognitive decline | Why we test differently | Brain fog | Blood sugar and insulin resistance
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
