ComForCare Home Care Partners with CMS to Enhance Dementia Care Accessibility
Troy, Michigan – September 24, 2025 – ComForCare Home Care has announced its participation in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiative known as the GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience). This federal program, which is accessible through Medicare Parts A and B, aims to improve the affordability and accessibility of dementia care for families across the United States.
Recent statistics from CMS indicate a significant increase in the incidence of dementia, with over 6.7 million Americans diagnosed in 2023 alone. Projections suggest that this number could rise to a staggering 14 million by 2060. Despite the alarming prevalence of this neurological condition, many affected individuals encounter barriers to high-quality care. Families often face challenges such as a lack of support, inadequate training, and limited access to essential resources, contributing to elevated rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits among dementia patients, as well as increased stress and depression among caregivers.
The GUIDE Model aims to mitigate these issues by providing individuals living with dementia the opportunity to remain in their homes longer, thus enhancing their overall quality of life. The program provides funding for respite care, along with a variety of support services for caregivers, including access to counselors, proactive outreach, and coordinated care management. This holistic approach is designed to empower both patients and caregivers, fostering a more supportive environment for those navigating the complexities of dementia.
According to Stephanie Wierzbicka, Director of Strategic Health Programs at ComForCare, the launch of the GUIDE initiative marked a pivotal moment for dementia care. “July 2024 saw the designation of 330 GUIDE organizations, enabling ComForCare to act as a subcontractor. This allows our franchise locations to raise awareness of the program within their communities and provide Medicare-funded respite services to families nationwide,” she stated. Wierzbicka emphasized that while there is no cure for dementia, programs like GUIDE are making high-quality care more accessible and manageable for families.
Eligible families can receive numerous benefits through the GUIDE program, including:
– Care provided in four-hour increments, available day or night.
– Personalized care plans tailored to individual needs in collaboration with ComForCare.
– Access to dementia-trained caregivers through ComForCare’s specialized DementiaWise® program.
– Assistance with daily living activities such as showering, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, and companionship.
With a legacy of providing person-centered dementia care, ComForCare has long been an advocate for families dealing with the progressive challenges posed by dementia. The company’s innovative DementiaWise program not only focuses on delivering personalized and responsive care but also emphasizes social engagement and ongoing condition monitoring. By joining the CMS GUIDE initiative, ComForCare is poised to further expand access to crucial dementia-related services, supporting millions of Americans and their families in navigating the complexities of this condition.
For additional information on ComForCare’s services and the GUIDE Model, please visit ComForCare’s website or consult the guidelines available through CMS.
