Medicare GUIDE Program
No-Cost Dementia Care Support for Families on Original Medicare
GUIDE is a Medicare program that helps people living with dementia stay safely at home, and gives their family caregivers training, 24/7 support, and paid respite care — so you never have to do it alone.
What is the GUIDE Program?
GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a national Medicare program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It began July 1, 2024 and runs for 8 years. It brings together a dementia-trained care team, care coordination, and support for family caregivers, including respite care, so your loved one can remain at home longer.
Assisting Hands Serving Boston North Shore is a CMS-certified GUIDE respite provider through our GUIDE program partner. We provide the in-home respite care: a trained caregiver comes to the home so you can rest, keep your own appointments, or simply take a break. If you or your loved one has Original Medicare and is living with dementia, you may be able to take part at no cost to you.
Benefits for Your Family
Paid respite care
Up to $2,500 a year in respite services for qualifying caregivers, including in-home care, so you can recharge. (Amount set by Medicare and may change each year.)
A dedicated care navigator
Your own care navigator helps coordinate doctors, specialists, services, and community resources.
24/7 support line
Round-the-clock access to your care team for urgent questions and concerns.
Caregiver training & education
Training, education, and support built around what you, the caregiver, need.
Coordinated care
An interdisciplinary team that works with your existing doctors to keep care connected.
Community resources
Screening for needs like meals and transportation, and connections to local organizations.
Who is Eligible?
Per CMS, the person living with dementia must:
- Have dementia, confirmed by a GUIDE program clinician (we can help you get started if there's no diagnosis yet)
- Be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A & B, with Medicare as primary insurance (not Medicare Advantage, Special Needs Plans, or PACE)
- Live at home or in an approved partner residential community (not a long-term nursing home resident or memory care unit)
- Not be enrolled in Medicare hospice
- Not already be enrolled with another GUIDE program
- People dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid can qualify.
For the respite benefit: the person must have moderate to severe dementia and a family member or other unpaid caregiver who helps them. The caregiver does not need to live with them.
Watch: Medicare's GUIDE program
How to Get Started
1
Check eligibility
Fill out the secure form below or call us.
2
Assessment
A GUIDE clinician confirms eligibility and completes an initial assessment.
3
Get support
Your care team, 24/7 line, and caregiver training begin.
4
Schedule respite
We schedule your in-home respite hours with an Assisting Hands caregiver.
Check Eligibility
