GUIDE Program Specialists
Alameda County
CMS-Approved Medicare Program · $0 Out-of-Pocket for Eligible Clients
What Is the Medicare GUIDE Program?
A New Era of Dementia Care — Fully Covered by Medicare
Medicare’s Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model is a landmark program that provides comprehensive, coordinated care for people living with dementia and their family caregivers — fully covered under Traditional Medicare Parts A & B at no cost to eligible clients.
FirstLight Home Care of Alameda is one of the few home care agencies in Alameda County and Contra Costa County approved to deliver the GUIDE program, in partnership with PocketRN. Our clients receive a full dementia care team — not just a caregiver.
What Your Family Receives
- Your Own Dedicated Nurse — Available 24/7: Through PocketRN’s “Nurse For Life” model, your loved one is assigned a personal, dementia-trained registered nurse available around the clock — always the same nurse who knows your family.
- Free Respite Care — Up to 72 Hours Per Program Year: The program provides up to 72 hours of paid respite care per program year (July 1 – June 30) at no cost. Because the program year resets on July 1st each year, clients who enroll mid-year receive their full 72 hours immediately, then a fresh 72 hours when the new program year begins — maximizing the benefit from day one.
- Medication Management & Safety Review: Your PocketRN nurse conducts regular medication reviews to identify interactions, simplify complex regimens, and ensure safe adherence.
- Care Coordination with Your Medical Team: Your nurse communicates directly with your loved one’s physicians and specialists, ensuring everyone is aligned on the care plan.
- Caregiver Education & Ongoing Support: Structured training on dementia progression, behavioral strategies, and communication techniques — so your family feels confident and prepared.
- Coordinated Home Care: FirstLight caregivers work in sync with your GUIDE care team for seamless daily support at home.
Who Qualifies?
- Enrolled in Traditional Medicare (Parts A & B) — not Medicare Advantage
- Has a documented dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis
- Living at home (not in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living)
- Not currently enrolled in hospice
- Located in Alameda County or Contra Costa County
Call us at (510) 954-3878 — eligibility check takes less than 5 minutes.
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