When a loved one shows signs of memory decline, families often feel caught between two unsatisfying options: wait and watch, or accept that conventional care can only manage symptoms. For decades, that has been the standard answer for the more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease.
That answer is changing. The ReCODE Protocol, developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen and delivered through Apollo Health, takes a precision-medicine approach to cognitive decline. Instead of treating memory loss as a single disease with one cause, it identifies and addresses the specific biological drivers behind each individual’s symptoms.
Implementing this protocol at home is difficult. The daily demands of specialized meals, precise supplementation, structured exercise, sleep optimization, and stress management can overwhelm even the most dedicated family caregivers. That is the gap a residential ReCODE+ For Facilities Program is designed to close.
This article explains how a residential setting makes the ReCODE Protocol consistently achievable, what families can expect, and how Michigan Cognitive Recovery Center at Lakeshore Woods Senior Living delivers the program in Fort Gratiot, Michigan — as one of only two facilities in the United States to do so.
Quick Facts
| Program: ReCODE+ For Facilities Program (™), developed by Apollo Health under Dr. Dale BredesenLocation: Michigan Cognitive Recovery Center at Lakeshore Woods Senior Living — 4851 Lakeshore Rd, Fort Gratiot Township, MI 48059U.S. availability: One of only two facilities in the United States offering the ReCODE+ For Facilities ProgramProgram length: 12 months, 24/7 residentialBest suited for: Adults with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or early-stage Alzheimer’s who are medically stableReported outcomes: 75–84% improvement across two published studies in MCI and early-stage dementia; 90% improvement in the 2025 randomized controlled trialComing soon: A second Michigan location at Fenton WoodsContact: 810-385-3185 · michigancognitiverecovery.com |
What is the ReCODE Protocol?
The ReCODE Protocol is a precision-medicine approach to cognitive decline developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen, neurologist and Chief Scientific Officer at Apollo Health. Dr. Bredesen is the author of The End of Alzheimer’s Program and Ageless Brain.
Rather than treating Alzheimer’s as a single disease with a single cause, ReCODE identifies and addresses multiple biological contributors to cognitive decline. According to Apollo Health, these include:
- Inflammation
- Lack of hormones and nutrients
- Metabolic dysfunction
- Toxin exposures
- Vascular dysfunction
- Traumatic brain injuries
Each participant completes a medical questionnaire, detailed laboratory work, and a series of cognitive assessments. The result is a personalized care plan — the ReCODE Report™ — that targets the specific biological drivers behind that individual’s decline. The program is delivered through what Apollo Health calls the Bredesen Seven, a clinically proven curriculum of education and coaching support.
Why Traditional Memory Care Often Falls Short
Traditional memory-care communities provide important services. They offer safety, comfort, and daily assistance for people living with cognitive decline. What they typically do not address is the underlying biology driving that decline.
Conventional medicine has long treated Alzheimer’s as progressive and untreatable. While recent FDA-approved medications can modestly slow disease progression in some patients, no pharmaceutical has been shown to reverse cognitive decline. Most memory care programs therefore focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing root causes.
In practical terms, traditional memory care offers safety and supervision, medication management, general lifestyle support, and limited testing — meals and activities that are not personalized to each resident’s biochemistry, and lab work that rarely identifies metabolic, hormonal, or inflammatory contributors to decline.
For families seeking more than symptom management, this gap can feel frustrating. A residential ReCODE program is structured to fill it.
Benefits of the ReCODE Protocol in a Residential Setting
When the ReCODE Protocol is delivered in a residential environment, families gain access to structure and clinical support that is nearly impossible to replicate at home. The combination of precision medicine and 24/7 care creates something neither approach offers alone.
Consistent daily implementation
The protocol requires daily adherence across multiple areas — diet, sleep, exercise, cognitive activities, and supplementation. At home, this is exhausting. Someone has to prepare specialized meals, track supplements, ensure exercise happens, and maintain sleep schedules. In a residential setting, trained staff handle all of it.
Personalized precision-medicine plans
Each resident receives an individualized ReCODE Report™ based on comprehensive testing. One resident may need support for insulin resistance; another may require detoxification work; a third may have hormonal deficiencies. The plan reflects what is actually happening in that person’s body — not a generic set of recommendations.
Around-the-clock trained dementia-care support
Cognitive symptoms do not follow a schedule. Confusion can happen at 3 a.m. Anxiety can spike during transitions. Residents at MCRC have 24/7 access to staff trained in both dementia care and the ReCODE Protocol — staff who actively implement the program rather than simply supervise.
Built-in nutrition and lifestyle structure
Brain-healthy meals following the KetoFLEX 12/3 approach are prepared by culinary staff and tailored to each resident’s dietary needs. KetoFLEX 12/3 is a plant-rich, mildly ketogenic eating pattern with a minimum 12-hour overnight fast and at least three hours between dinner and bedtime, designed to support metabolic and cognitive health.
Continuous biomarker monitoring
Residential programs include regular cognitive and lab re-testing — not just at the beginning, but throughout the program. Care teams use the data to adjust each resident’s plan based on how they are responding. If something is not working, the team can identify it early and make changes.
Reduced caregiver burden for families
When daily protocol implementation is handled by professionals, families can focus on connection and quality time rather than medication schedules, meal prep, and constant supervision. Many families describe this shift as transformative for their relationship with their loved one.
A Typical Day in a Residential ReCODE Program
A day at MCRC follows a structured rhythm designed to support cognitive recovery:
- Morning: Wake at a consistent time, followed by a brain-healthy breakfast prepared according to KetoFLEX 12/3 guidelines.
- Mid-morning: Supervised exercise — typically a combination of aerobic activity and strength training.
- Midday: Lunch tailored to individual dietary needs, followed by cognitive training activities.
- Afternoon: Group education sessions, health coaching, or stress-reduction practices like meditation.
- Evening: Dinner timed to support the KetoFLEX 12/3 pattern, social time, and wind-down routines.
- Night: Trained staff available around the clock to assist with any needs.
The Bredesen Seven: Pillars of Cognitive Recovery
The Bredesen Seven are the seven complementary strategies at the heart of the ReCODE Protocol. In a residential setting, each is implemented daily as part of the structured routine.
1. Nutrition (KetoFLEX 12/3)
Plant-rich, mildly ketogenic meals with a minimum 12-hour overnight fast and at least 3 hours between dinner and bedtime. Meals are prepared by culinary staff and tailored to each resident’s test results.
2. Exercise
A combination of aerobic activity and strength training, supervised daily. Regular exercise supports blood flow to the brain and promotes growth factors that help neurons thrive.
3. Sleep optimization
Structured sleep schedules and environment modifications support restorative sleep, when the brain clears toxins and consolidates memory.
4. Stress management
Meditation, breathing practices, and calming activities are built into the daily schedule. Chronic stress contributes to inflammation and cognitive decline.
5. Brain stimulation
Brain exercises, learning new skills, puzzles, and meaningful conversation promote neuroplasticity — the brain’s capacity to form new neural connections.
6. Detoxification
Toxin exposure is addressed through targeted supplements, environmental controls, and other supports. Mold, metals, and chemicals can contribute to cognitive decline in some individuals.
7. Targeted supplements
Supplements are tailored to each resident based on testing — addressing specific deficiencies and biological needs identified in their ReCODE Report™.
What the Research Says About ReCODE Outcomes
The ReCODE Protocol is supported by peer-reviewed research published by Dr. Bredesen’s team and Apollo Health.
- Two published clinical studies have reported that 75–84% of participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia experienced measurable improvement in cognition while following the protocol.
- A 2025 randomized controlled trial — the first of its kind for ReCODE — found statistically significant improvements in memory, executive function, processing speed, and overall cognition. According to Apollo Health, the trial reported an effect size 600% greater than the leading FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug, and 90% of participants showed cognitive improvement. Participants also showed improvements in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol.
It is important to be clear: the ReCODE Protocol is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Outcomes vary based on individual factors, stage of decline, and adherence to the program. Earlier-stage participants tend to see the strongest results. For complete clinical information, families are encouraged to visit Apollo Health directly.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Residential ReCODE Care?
The ReCODE Protocol is best suited for adults in the earlier stages of cognitive decline:
- People with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) — noticeable memory changes that have not yet shown up on standard testing
- Those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- Adults with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease
- People with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s who want to take a proactive, science-based approach
Candidates also need to be medically stable enough to participate in a structured lifestyle and medical program. Individuals in later stages of Alzheimer’s or with significant medical complications may not be appropriate for this approach. Earlier intervention offers the best opportunity for meaningful improvement.
Residential ReCODE Compared to Traditional Memory Care
Families weighing options often ask how a residential ReCODE program compares to standard memory care or skilled nursing. The key difference is focus: traditional settings aim to manage decline; a ReCODE program aims to improve cognition by addressing root causes.
| Feature | Traditional Memory Care | Skilled Nursing | Residential ReCODE Program |
| Primary goal | Safety and symptom management | Medical care and rehabilitation | Cognitive recovery through root-cause treatment |
| Approach | General support | Medical model | Personalized precision medicine |
| Daily structure | Activities and meals | Therapy schedules | Protocol-driven rhythm across the Bredesen Seven |
| Staff training | Dementia-care basics | Nursing and therapy | ReCODE Protocol plus dementia care |
| Personalization | Limited | Based on medical needs | Comprehensive testing and individualized plans |
| Monitoring | Periodic assessments | Regular medical checks | Continuous biomarker and cognitive re-testing |
What to Look for in a ReCODE Residential Program
Not every program advertising the ReCODE Protocol delivers it the same way. Families evaluating options can look for these markers of a legitimate program.
Direct partnership with Apollo Health
Programs that are formal Apollo Health partners are trained in Dr. Bredesen’s methodology and follow established protocol guidelines. MCRC at Lakeshore Woods is a partner of Apollo Health, and the ReCODE+ For Facilities Program is delivered as designed by the Apollo team.
Comprehensive lab and cognitive testing
Legitimate programs begin with thorough baseline testing — detailed laboratory work and cognitive assessments — to identify each person’s specific contributors to decline. Without comprehensive testing, true personalization is not possible.
Education, coaching, and family involvement
Quality programs include ongoing education, one-on-one health coaching, and structured family involvement. Families need to understand the protocol so they can support their loved one during the program and afterward.
Transparency about outcomes
Reputable programs are honest about what the protocol can and cannot achieve. They communicate clearly that ReCODE is not a cure, that outcomes vary, and that earlier-stage participants tend to see stronger results.
ReCODE Residential Care in Michigan
Michigan Cognitive Recovery Center at Lakeshore Woods Senior Living is one of only two U.S. facilities offering the ReCODE+ For Facilities Program. The center is located at 4851 Lakeshore Rd, Fort Gratiot Township, MI 48059, on the Lakeshore Woods Senior Living campus along Lake Huron.
MCRC was founded by Steve Larsen, a Port Huron-area attorney and senior-living operator who purchased Lakeshore Woods in 2018 and expanded it to a 78-bed senior living community in 2021. After watching his brother lose his cognition to Alzheimer’s, Steve partnered with Apollo Health to build a residential program offering families a science-based path forward.
The 12-month residential program serves families across Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region — including Port Huron, Marysville, Burtchville, Lexington, and the rest of St. Clair County, as well as families traveling from Macomb County, Oakland County, and metro Detroit. A second Michigan location is opening soon at Fenton Woods, expanding access for families in Fenton, Linden, Holly, Grand Blanc, Flint, and the rest of Genesee County.
To learn more or schedule a tour of the Birch Building at Lakeshore Woods, families can call 810-385-3185 or visit michigancognitiverecovery.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ReCODE Protocol?
The ReCODE Protocol is a precision-medicine approach to cognitive decline developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen and delivered through Apollo Health. It identifies and addresses the specific biological contributors to each person’s decline — including inflammation, hormone and nutrient deficiencies, metabolic dysfunction, toxin exposures, vascular dysfunction, and traumatic brain injuries — through a personalized care plan called the ReCODE Report™.
Is ReCODE available in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan Cognitive Recovery Center at Lakeshore Woods Senior Living in Fort Gratiot, Michigan is one of only two facilities in the United States offering the ReCODE+ For Facilities Program. A second Michigan location is opening soon at Fenton Woods.
How long is the residential ReCODE program at MCRC?
The MCRC residential program is 12 months. Throughout the program, residents receive comprehensive testing, a personalized care plan, 24/7 trained dementia-care support, KetoFLEX 12/3 meals, and continuous monitoring with plan adjustments.
Who is the program designed for?
The program is designed for adults with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or early-stage Alzheimer’s who are medically stable. Earlier-stage participants tend to see the strongest results.
Can the ReCODE Protocol cure Alzheimer’s disease?
No. The ReCODE Protocol is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. It is a comprehensive, individualized precision-medicine approach that has shown measurable cognitive improvement in published peer-reviewed studies for many participants in the earlier stages of decline.
What does the research show?
Two published clinical studies report that 75–84% of participants with MCI or early-stage dementia experienced measurable cognitive improvement on the protocol. A 2025 randomized controlled trial reported a 90% improvement rate and an effect size 600% greater than the leading FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug. For complete clinical information, please visit Apollo Health.
What is the KetoFLEX 12/3 diet?
KetoFLEX 12/3 is a plant-rich, mildly ketogenic eating pattern with a minimum 12-hour overnight fast and at least 3 hours between dinner and bedtime. It supports metabolic health and brain function and is part of the Bredesen Seven.
How are families involved in the care plan?
Families receive regular updates and participate in education sessions throughout the program. Family involvement is one of the core pillars of the residential program design.
What happens after the 12-month program ends?
Residents and families receive guidance on continuing the protocol at home or transitioning to ongoing support. The goal is sustaining the improvements achieved during the program.
How do I learn more or schedule a tour?
Families can call MCRC at 810-385-3185 or visit michigancognitiverecovery.com to learn more, request a tour of the Birch Building at Lakeshore Woods, or speak with the team about whether the program is right for their loved one. For complete clinical information about the ReCODE Protocol, please visit Apollo Health.
Ready to learn more? Call Michigan Cognitive Recovery Center at 810-385-3185 or visit michigancognitiverecovery.com to schedule a tour.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The ReCODE Protocol is a precision-medicine program delivered by trained Apollo Health partners and is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Outcomes vary by individual. For complete clinical information about the ReCODE Protocol, please visit Apollo Health. Families should consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any treatment decisions.
About the author. This article was written by the Lakeshore Woods Team. Lakeshore Woods Senior Living is a 78-bed senior living community in Fort Gratiot Township, Michigan, and the home of Michigan Cognitive Recovery Center — one of only two U.S. Senior living centers delivering the ReCODE+ For Facilities Program in partnership with Apollo Health. For complete clinical information about the ReCODE Protocol, please visit Apollo Health.