GUIDE
GUIDE pre-screeners — saving 30 minutes at the first visit
GUIDE programs use a small battery of validated screeners to understand cognition, function, mood, and caregiver burden. Doing them at home turns the first visit into a planning visit.
Updated 2026-02-20
What screeners you'll see
- FAST — Functional Assessment Staging — what they can/can't do.
- Zarit-12 — caregiver burden, short version.
- PHQ-2 / PHQ-9 — caregiver mood.
- GDS-15 — patient mood (geriatric depression scale).
- NPI — neuropsychiatric inventory if behaviors are present.
Why this matters
Without screeners, the first GUIDE visit becomes intake. With them, it becomes care planning — what respite hours you need, what behavior plan fits, what medication conversations to start.
Frequently asked questions
- Will my answers stay private?
- Yes. Memory Lane stores screener answers in your Continuity Passport. You choose who to share it with.
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
Keep reading
GUIDE
Am I eligible for Medicare GUIDE?
GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a Medicare program launched in 2024 that gives families a care navigator, 24/7 helpline, caregiver training, and up to $2,500/year in respite — all at no copay.
Learning
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in memory, thinking, or behavior serious enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a normal part of aging.
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.
GUIDE
Respite vs adult day
Both buy caregivers time. They work differently — and you may need both at different stages.
Resources
Where to find respite care that families actually use
Respite isn't a luxury — it's how caregivers stay alive long enough to keep caregiving. Here's where the money is.
GUIDE
Finding a GUIDE provider in your state
GUIDE is delivered through participating health systems. The list is growing — but it isn't everywhere yet.
Learning
Caregiver burnout: the warning signs
Burnout is not a feeling — it's a physiological state. Catching it early lets you act before you (or your loved one) gets hurt.
Paying for Care
Medicare vs Medicaid
Medicare is age-based (65+) and covers acute care. Medicaid is income-based and covers long-term care. Most families need both before this is over.