The Local Office on Aging (LOA) in Roanoke, Virginia, has launched personalized dementia support services through the GUIDE program (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience). This Medicare-funded initiative is designed to provide comprehensive, integrated care for individuals diagnosed with dementia and their unpaid family caregivers.
GUIDE is offered by LOA in collaboration with Embrace Prevention Care and through Bay Area Aging. GUIDE focuses on improving quality of life, reducing caregiver burden, and preventing hospitalizations and long-term care placement by delivering a standardized, team-based approach to dementia care.
GUIDE combines Embrace’s telehealth expertise and clinical team with LOA’s experience in community-based services. Embrace provides care coordination and support services using local nurse practitioners as care navigators.
Most importantly, GUIDE supports patients and their caregivers at no cost to the family: Eligible dementia patients with Medicare Parts A and B receive personalized care planning; coordinated care from their existing doctors, specialists and social service providers; caregiver education, training and support; 24/7 access to team members or helplines; and up to $2,560 in annual respite support.
“We are excited to collaborate with Embrace Prevention Care to deliver GUIDE services to help people living with dementia spend less time in hospitals and nursing homes,” said Ron Boyd, president and CEO of LOA. “We believe that making GUIDE available in our service area will improve the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers.”
LOA’s social care capabilities, combined with clinical provider Embrace, create a fully integrated health and social care program to support families navigating the challenges of dementia care. LOA is currently enrolling qualified Medicare beneficiaries in its service area.
To learn more about GUIDE, visit loaa.org/guide or inquire about enrollment by calling Delaine Caldwell at 540-345-0451 ext. 3043.