A new initiative is looking to change the landscape of dementia care nationwide.
The GUIDE model, which stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, is a new program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that began rolling out services July 1. And through caregiving providers in Hampton Roads, the program offers — at no cost — up to 72 hours of respite care, 24/7 virtual nursing support and personalized care planning to help relieve the emotional and financial toll of dementia care.
Daniel Tifft, owner of Right at Home Virginia Beach, said by email his in-home senior care company was an early partner of this program, working with California-based PocketRN, a virtual nursing company and national GUIDE provider contracted by Medicare.
He explained that anyone who has a dementia diagnosis, is enrolled in Medicare (Parts A and B) and lives at home or at an independent or assisted living community is eligible to receive services through the GUIDE program. However, those in long-term nursing care, using Medicare’s hospice benefit or enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan do not yet qualify for the program.
Tifft added that the scope of these services may vary by provider, but PocketRN provides 24/7 virtual access to a team of dementia-trained nurses who can answer questions about a loved one’s care, review medications, coordinate with existing doctors and medical equipment providers. The company also offers family support, education and one-on-one coaching.
Participants may also qualify to have up to 72 hours of respite care provided by local home care agencies and paid for by Medicare so family caregivers can take a break. Right at Home also provides in-home care and safety assessments.
“GUIDE is actually still in pilot mode,” Tifft said. “It will be for the next seven years while Medicare evaluates the program. While we don’t know how many dementia patients have enrolled thus far, there are thousands of people in Hampton Roads who have dementia and could qualify for these critical support services.”
Tifft said his company has already seen the GUIDE program benefitting his clients.
Doug Robertson, Right at Home’s senior director of government affairs, said by email that the GUIDE model is more than a new federal benefit: “It’s a shift in how Medicare supports both those with dementia and the families caring for them through innovative relationships with home care agencies,” Robertson said. “This is a historical development as this is the first time that Medicare has created a suite of benefits to wrap around those with a dementia diagnosis that supports both the beneficiary and the family.”
For questions on enrollment, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).