What if the best thing you could do for your memory started twenty years before you ever misplaced your keys? On this episode of Walks with Mom, Kimberly Akers and her mom Karren sit down with Mike Factor for a conversation that is equal parts eye opening and good humored. Kim is a proud Gen Xer, Karren is a great baby boomer, and both leave with a lot to think about, including the news that they should probably start taking notes. Karren, who turned 80 this year, asks the question many of us are wondering: is it too late? Mike says no, it's never too late. Mike begins with hope. He wants listeners to know there is more support for aging at home than most people realize, from personal care to medical equipment to oxygen, and he explains that families often learn about it only after a rehab stay or hospital discharge. He names the three things he would most like us to hold on to as we age: vision, mobility, and memory. Then he tests the hosts on it ten minutes later, and the hosts, to their credit, are good sports. The heart of the conversation is brain health. Mike became a certified brain health coach while his own dad was battling Alzheimer's, and he shares what he learned about the things he calls insults to the brain. He describes sleep apnea, unstable gait, and inflammation markers as examples, and he tells how he asked his own doctor to check numbers like ferritin and uric acid and what he changed afterward. His advice, in his words: "find out what's insulting your brain and remove that from your life." Then comes hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Mike describes a 2019 case report from a New Orleans neurologist, explains how the chamber works, and shares what he saw when he used one with his father. He also tells the story of a neighbor who, by his account, improved on a mini mental status exam after 60 sessions along with supplements and exercise. These are Mike's experiences and his reading of the literature, not medical advice, so talk with your own physician before changing anything. He closes with five practical habits: prioritize deep sleep, test for toxins, test inflammation markers, keep hormones in check, and protect your head and your blood sugar. Kim and Karren also mention The End of Alzheimer's, a book and a documentary Mike recommends, which is worth a look after you listen. About the guest Michael (Mike) Factor is the owner of Diamond Medical Equipment, a durable medical equipment company, and operates an outpatient treatment center in Gilbert, Arizona. He holds a bachelors degree in health care services, is a licensed nursing home administrator, a dementia practitioner, and a certified brain health coach. A husband, father, and LSU fan, he is passionate about preventing Alzheimer's disease and helping others. Contact Mike Phone: 480.926.4363 Email: Intake.dme@gmail.com Subscribe to Walks with Mom for more honest conversations that help families prepare, plan, and navigate aging with clarity and connection. https://walkswithmompodcast.com/ Come with us as we explore what it means to navigate these years with our aging loved ones. So grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—subscribe, invite your friends or family, and join us for Walks with Mom. https://youtube.com/@walkswithmom Special thanks to our Sponsor Amada Senior Care Phoenix and the East Valley serving families and seniors in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, and the surrounding East Valley area. Accredited VA Provider (NPI # 1558048199) and Trusted resource for Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Compassionate, personalized in-home senior care starts here – contact Amada Senior Care Phoenix and the East Valley today by phone at (480)999-5250 or visit us online to get started and give your loved one the support, dignity, and independence they deserve. www.amadaphoenix.com
