GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a new Medicare program offered at Penn Medicine. It helps people living with dementia receive high-quality care at home — while offering caregivers the support they need.
The goal is simple: Better care. Less stress. More time at home.
What GUIDE offers
Personalized dementia care
Annual exam with a dementia specialist
A written care plan designed just for you
Help with meal delivery, and other needs
Caregiver support
Training and education for family caregivers
Access to support groups and counseling
24/7 help for questions or concerns
Social and wellness activities
Community-based programs for connection and joy such as memory cafes and music classes
Respite services
GUIDE provides up to $2,700 per year to help cover respite expenses, such as in-home care or adult day centers. The current fiscal year runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Respite services are available only for participants who have a caregiver.
The services give caregivers a much-needed break.
Respite coverage applies to “Moderate Complexity” and “Severe Complexity” tiers. The “Low Complexity” tier does not include respite.
Learn more about how to use GUIDE respite dollars here
A dedicated Care Navigator
Think of your care navigator as your personal guide through the healthcare system — here to answer questions, find services, and coordinate care.
A real-life example
Before GUIDE:
Mildred’s memory and daily challenges are getting worse, but her regular doctor doesn’t specialize in dementia.
She’s missing appointments, struggling with medications, and everyday tasks are becoming harder.
Her daughter, Anne, feels overwhelmed and is thinking about a nursing home—but it’s just too expensive.
After joining GUIDE:
Mildred’s doctor tells her about the GUIDE program. She’s quickly connected with a team that knows how to support people with dementia.
Mildred talks through her daily challenges with her care navigator, who helps her make a plan for managing her medications and filling her days with meaningful activities.
Anne joins caregiver training sessions that give her practical tools—and peace of mind.
Mildred also gets respite care at home, giving Anne time to rest and recharge.
Today:
Mildred is still living at home with the support she needs.
Anne finally feels like she’s not doing this alone.
Who can join
You may qualify for GUIDE if:
You have a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of dementia or are being referred for evaluation of memory concerns
You are enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B (not Medicare Advantage or PACE). Learn more here. Not sure about primary and secondary insurance? Click here to learn more.
Medicare is your primary insurance
You are not enrolled in hospice
You are not living in a long-term nursing home, memory care, assisted living or personal care facility effective July 2026
You live in one of the following counties:
Philadelphia County, PA
Bucks County, PA
Chester County, PA
Delaware County, PA
Montgomery County, PA
How to enroll
Please note: Enrollment for the GUIDE program begins on July 1, 2025.
No referral needed. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Call us at 215-662-7810 (select option 3) Step 2: Be ready to share:
Medicare insurance info
Caregiver name and contact (if applicable)
Step 3: If eligible, you’ll be scheduled for a comprehensive exam with a dementia specialist. Step 4: With your permission, we’ll request that Medicare enroll you in the Penn Medicine GUIDE program.
Where is GUIDE available
We’re enrolling patients in:
Philadelphia County, PA
Bucks County, PA
Chester County, PA
Delaware County, PA
Montgomery County, PA
We hope to expand our service area. See if there’s a GUIDE site currently serving your county here.
Meet the Penn Medicine GUIDE TeamFrequently asked questions
Looking for more details? Find answers to common questions about the GUIDE model here.
