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GUIDE Dementia Program

Transforming Dementia Care for Medicare Patients and Caregivers

GUIDE
Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience

The GUIDE Program is a groundbreaking initiative from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) designed specifically for Medicare A & B patients with dementia, providing the highest quality care and support to both patients and caregivers. By improving patient quality of life, reducing caregiver burden, enhancing care coordination, and empowering families through education, GUIDE offers comprehensive solutions for dementia care. (Note: Medicare Advantage plans are not eligible.)
  • Personalized care plans
  • Family and caregiver support
  • Coordinated care from a dedicated team
  • Education and resources on dementia care
  • Comprehensive symptom management
  • Advanced care planning
  • Respite care for caregivers
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  • Comprehensive symptom management
  • Advanced care planning
  • Respite care for caregivers

How to Join the GUIDE Program

Medicare A & B patients diagnosed with dementia are eligible to join GUIDE through The Connecticut Hospice.

1.

Consult Your Doctor: Discuss the GUIDE program with your primary care physician or neurologist to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs.

2.

Contact Connecticut Hospice: To learn more or schedule an assessment, Call 800-283-0174 or fill out the GUIDE Information Request Form.

3.

Assessment and Care Planning: Our care team will assess your specific needs and create a personalized care plan if you're eligible.

4.

Ongoing Support: Once enrolled, you'll receive continuous support from a dedicated healthcare team, ensuring you receive the best possible care.

GUIDE Information Request Form

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life. The most common form is Alzheimer’s disease, but other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Symptoms often include memory loss, confusion, communication difficulties, and changes in mood and behavior, placing a significant burden on caregivers.
This is where the GUIDE program steps in—offering comprehensive support and specialized care for both patients and their families.
woman with the back of her head floating away in pieces, representing memory loss

How Does GUIDE Help Dementia Patients?

Dementia affects millions of people, and many Medicare patients with dementia have complex medical needs. The GUIDE program offers coordinated, high-quality care, with a focus on personalized care and caregiver support, improving the quality of life for both patients and their families.

  • Personalized Care Plans: Each patient receives a custom care plan based on their health needs and preferences, regularly reviewed and updated as their condition changes.
  • Family and Caregiver Support: GUIDE offers counseling, assistance with medical decisions, and help with daily care tasks, as well as connecting families with community resources.
  • Coordination of Care: A dedicated team—including doctors, nurses, care navigators, and dementia specialists—ensures seamless, high-quality care across all healthcare providers.
  • Education and Resources: Families receive comprehensive resources and training on dementia care, empowering them to make informed decisions and provide better care.
  • Symptom Management: The program emphasizes managing common dementia symptoms—like agitation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances—to improve patient quality of life.
  • Advance Care Planning: GUIDE helps document patient wishes for future care, ensuring their values and preferences are respected.
  • Respite for Caregivers: Temporary relief is offered to caregivers, allowing them to rest and recharge, improving their ability to provide quality care.
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  • Symptom Management: The program emphasizes managing common dementia symptoms—like agitation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances—to improve patient quality of life.
  • Advance Care Planning: GUIDE helps document patient wishes for future care, ensuring their values and preferences are respected.
  • Respite for Caregivers: Temporary relief is offered to caregivers, allowing them to rest and recharge, improving their ability to provide quality care.

The Impact of GUIDE

The GUIDE program significantly enhances dementia care by focusing on compassionate, comprehensive care for patients and caregivers alike. Here are some of the ways GUIDE makes a difference:

  • Improved Quality of Life: Personalized care plans tailored to patient needs, leading to reduced behavioral and psychological symptoms over time.
  • Reduced Caregiver Burden: Relief for families dealing with the stresses of caregiving, including decreased depression and unmet needs. Respite services, when used consistently, help caregivers continue providing care at home.
  • Enhanced Care Coordination: Seamless collaboration between healthcare providers, potentially reducing hospitalization rates and emergency department visits. This approach can delay or prevent unnecessary care transitions.
  • Empowerment Through Education: Resources that help families make informed decisions, improving clinical documentation and enabling people with dementia to remain in their homes and communities longer.
  • Comprehensive Support: Our program aims to improve quality of life for people with dementia while reducing strain on unpaid caregivers, ultimately postponing the need for facility care.

The GUIDE program is a revolutionary step forward in dementia care, ensuring that Medicare patients with dementia receive the high-quality, personalized care they deserve. By offering support to both patients and caregivers, the GUIDE program is truly transforming the dementia care experience.

The GUIDE Team (from left to right) Mark Olynciw, Amy Etzel, and Jennifer Empey

Get Started

The Connecticut Hospice is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for patients with dementia and their families. GUIDE represents our dedication to this mission.

If you or a loved one could benefit from the GUIDE program, we encourage you to contact our team to learn more.

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Please Support Us

As a not-for-profit, we depend on generous donors to help us provide customized services and therapies that aren’t completely covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. 

Please make a gift to help us sustain the highest standard of care.

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Contact Admissions

Admissions may be scheduled seven days a week.
Call our Centralized Intake Department: (203) 315-7540.

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