GUIDE Program

Improving the quality of life of people living with dementia means decreasing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Medicare recognizes the challenges of providing care for people with dementia and has created a team of dementia care specialists who can work with patients and caregivers between medical visits to identify concerns before they become problems.

To enroll in the GUIDE program, you must be diagnosed with dementia and have traditional Medicare Parts A and B as your primary insurance. You can have a supplemental insurance plan as long as traditional Medicare is primary. You also need to live in the community or an assisted living facility. The GUIDE program is not available to people who have managed Medicare (sometimes called Medicare Advantage), people living in nursing homes, or those on hospice.

We are not currently enrolling residents of Fairfield County. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about eligibility.

No. Currently, we are enrolling Connecticut residents in all counties except Fairfield.

You must see a GUIDE provider once a year. However, where you decide to get your ongoing care is entirely up to you. You can keep your current healthcare providers, including your primary care provider and dementia specialists.

The cornerstone of the GUIDE program is a Dementia Care Navigator who serves as a point person over time to provide education and support to patients and caregivers. The Dementia Care Navigator helps identify areas of need and connects people with local, state, or national resources for support. The program also includes an education series and support groups for caregivers, which are available in person or virtually.

Understanding that caregivers need respite, Medicare provides caregivers of people with moderate to severe dementia $2,500 annually for respite care with one of our community partner agencies. Respite care can be provided at home or at an adult day center. The GUIDE program is not a home care agency and does not provide companions, homemakers, or aids, but we do have trusted community partners who can provide respite care.

If you are interested in learning more about the GUIDE program, you can email us at GUIDEprogram@uchc.edu. Our Program Coordinator will review your eligibility and explain the process. Enrollment requires an office visit at Geriatrics and Healthy Aging at UConn Health, 21 South Road in Farmington. In some cases, a telehealth visit can take the place of an in-person visit.

For most patients, a one-time home visit with the Dementia Care Navigator is also required. A comprehensive assessment is necessary at enrollment and then annually to maintain participation.

Nothing! GUIDE services are free for eligible patients and their caregivers.

No, GUIDE is an additional layer of support and does not replace state or VA benefits.