AMERICUS, GA (September 6, 2023) — On July 31, 2023, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. The model, which is set to launch in July of 2024, is intended to improve the quality of life for dementia patients and their family caregivers. In response, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) and ATI Advisory have released a new white paper, Guiding the GUIDE Model Toward Stronger Caregiver Supports, containing recommendations to inform the GUIDE Model’s design and evaluation, and ensure that family caregivers are well supported.
“Caregivers of people living with dementia face unique challenges, and they deserve evidence-based resources and supports to meet their needs,” said Dr. Jennifer Olsen, chief executive officer at RCI. “If implemented, our recommendations will further improve CMMI’s ability to support dementia caregivers, strengthen the evidence base for future caregiver support interventions, and broaden access and understanding of dementia care across the healthcare ecosystem.”
As outlined in the white paper, the following recommendations are the result of in-depth research and interviews with clinical experts and family caregivers of people living with dementia. RCI and ATI have recommended that CMMI:
- Evaluate health and other outcomes for dementia caregivers.
- Add a small, time-limited payment to maintain consistency in caregiver support for beneficiaries who transition to long-term care during the Model performance period.
- Test and refine methods of obtaining consent and documenting caregiver contact information.
- Evaluate the impact of varying care navigation models implemented within the Model.
- Obtain perspectives from participating dementia caregivers to adjust and assess impact of the Model.
- Disseminate curriculum and best practices developed and refined under the Model to other non-participating stakeholders and sectors.
- Monitor the impact of the GUIDE Model on Medicare enrollment decisions for individuals with dementia, including by subpopulation.
To view Guiding the GUIDE Model Toward Stronger Caregiver Supports, visit https://care.rosalynncarter.org/GUIDE.
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About the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers was established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to promote the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers throughout the United States. RCI fulfills its promise to champion the family caregiver by building cross-sector partnerships, developing and providing evidence-based programs and advocating for public policy.