Nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. And many rely on unpaid family caregivers. Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid launched a new program aimed at improving dementia care and reducing caregiver stress.
It’s called the GUIDE Model, and the goal is to improve the quality of life for Medicare beneficiaries with dementia and their unpaid caregivers.
The GUIDE Model will help coordinate care for dementia and other co-conditions. It will also provide caregivers with access to a 24/7 support line, as well as caregiver training, education and respite services.
By doing this, CMS hopes to keep people living with dementia in their homes for as long as possible. CMS is also testing an alternative payment method for providers who deliver comprehensive, coordinated care, which is critical for good outcomes. Several Arizona healthcare organizations are providing GUIDE services
