GUIDE Dementia Care
Compassionate Support for Dementia Care
Medicare’s new Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model offers comprehensive care coordination for patients and caregivers living with Dementia, as well as access to in-home or facility-based respite care. All of this is available at no cost to Medicare A and B (Traditional Medicare) beneficiaries.
How GUIDE Supports You and Your Family
24/7 Clinical Support
A special helpline that provides support to caregivers any time of day.
Respite Services
Care Coordination
Assistance with coordinating local community and medical services, in-home safety assessments, and assisting with transportation needs.
Caregiver Training and Support
Individualized support to address your specific needs and preferences, regular check-ins, and comprehensive caregiver support and education.
Patient Eligibility
- Traditional Medicare beneficiaries (Part A or B)
- A confirmed dementia diagnosis (including Alzheimer’s, LBD, FTD, vascular dementia, etc.)
- Living at home or in the community
Not Eligible
- Patients with mild cognitive impairment
- Medicare Advantage enrollees
- Living in a skilled nursing facility
- Participating in Hospice or a PACE organization
GUIDE Frequently Asked Questions
What are the programs and support services I can receive if I enroll in the GUIDE program?
Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) is a new Medicare program that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients living with dementia and their caregivers at no additional cost. The focus is to reduce strain on unpaid caregivers and allow people living with dementia to remain in their homes and communities.
Patients enrolled in the program receives free, comprehensive services including:
• A care navigator who connects you to resources, answers questions and helps to coordinate care 24/7
• A full assessment that identifies needs and creating of a care plan to address those needs
• Caregiver education and support for family and others to help manage care effectively
• Respite services for caregivers whose loved one has been professionally evaluated and determined to have significant memory impairment.
• Medication management to ensure safety and appropriateness
• Home visits and safety checks
• Access to community resources
• Ongoing monitoring and support
Who is eligible for GUIDE?
A patient is eligible if they meet the following criteria:
- Has dementia, as confirmed by attestation from a clinician on the GUIDE Participant’s GUIDE Practitioner Roster;
- Is enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B (not enrolled in Medicare Advantage, including Special Needs Plans, or PACE programs) and has Medicare as their primary payer;
- Is residing in a Private Residence or an approved Residential Care Community that has agreed to partner with a GUIDE Participant (not a long-term nursing home resident and not residing in a Memory Care Unit);
- Has not enrolled in the Medicare hospice benefit; and
- Is not currently aligned to another GUIDE Model Participant
Does my insurance cover participation in this program?
GUIDE is a Medicare program. Beneficiaries with Traditional Medicare A & B (not Medicare Advantage) with a confirmed or suspected dementia diagnosis may be eligible and receive access to services at no additional cost.
How do I enroll in GUIDE?
Go to the ElderSource website at MyElderSource.org to complete the online form for a no-cost call with ElderSource. We will call you back within two business days. You can also call the ElderSource HelpLine at 1-888-242-4464 and request to speak with someone about the GUIDE program.
How long will it take until I am enrolled in the program?
During your first call, you will work with staff to complete an initial program screening. Following this, a Community Health Coach will reach out to conduct a comprehensive assessment, review program details—including the Medicare enrollment process—and, if needed, schedule a home visit. Once the assessment is complete, ElderSource will submit your information to Medicare for approval. Approval is typically expected within approximately 30 days. We will notify clients by phone when we receive the updated information.
Are respite services offered to caregivers through GUIDE?
Yes. Caregivers may receive a respite care allowance of up to $2,500 through GUIDE. This support is available when a qualified professional has assessed that the individual has significant memory impairment, can no longer live independently, and requires increased assistance with daily living activities. The FAST tool — Functional Assessment Staging Tool — is used to assess the level of cognitive function.
Who qualifies as a caregiver?
Does ElderSource provide medical care?
ElderSource is not a medical provider, but we will help you navigate your caregiver journey. We are here to coordinate and support you.
ElderSource can assist with dementia by offering non-medical support designed to help individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. This includes coordinating with your medical team, caregiver education, respite care, referrals to local resources, support groups, and assistance finding services for you and your loved ones. ElderSource supports your quality of life and care coordination.
What other resources are available to me?
ElderSource is an Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center whose mission helps people thrive and live independently in their home and community. If you want to know about other information and resources to help you thrive, you are encouraged to call the ElderSource HelpLine at 888-242-4464.