GUIDE
After you're enrolled in GUIDE
GUIDE participants get a Care Navigator, 24/7 helpline, and up to $2,500/year of respite. Knowing what to ask for matters as much as having access.
Updated 2026-02-27
Your first 30 days
- Care Navigator assigned — meet by phone or video within 14 days.
- Initial comprehensive assessment — they cover the caregiver, not just the patient.
- Care plan drafted with you. Don't accept boilerplate. Push for specifics on your top 3 worries.
- 24/7 helpline number programmed in your phone. Test-call it during business hours so you know what it sounds like.
Months 1–3 — what to use it for
- Respite. Up to $2,500/year. Start scheduling NOW — adult day, weekend home aide, even a hotel weekend covered if the GUIDE practice approves.
- Care plan calls every 30 days. Use them. Most caregivers underuse navigator access.
- Behavior crises — call the 24/7 line BEFORE the ER. Many crises de-escalate over the phone.
- Provider coordination — let the navigator be the one repeating context to specialists.
What GUIDE does NOT cover
- Long-term care costs (memory care, nursing home).
- Personal-care aides for daily ADLs.
- Out-of-network specialists if the GUIDE practice isn't part of your loved one's care.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I switch GUIDE practices?
- Yes, like any Medicare provider. Talk to your navigator first — sometimes the issue is fixable.
- Is everything from GUIDE truly free?
- Care navigation and helpline: yes, no copay. Respite: free up to $2,500/year. Medical visits within GUIDE still follow normal Medicare cost-sharing.
Every dementia journey is different.
Memory Lane Care helps you understand what applies to your loved one, what to expect next, and which resources fit your family's situation.
Related across the journey
Memory Lane connects every part of dementia care. Here's how this topic threads into the rest.
Resources
Paying for Care
Behavior Guidance
Hard Conversations
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GUIDE
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