The Medicare GUIDE Program: A New Era in Dementia Care

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Laura Daniels, a registered nurse and founder of Care Advocates, hosts this podcast to help families and professionals find the right solutions for seniors in transition. In this episode, she interviews Mona Talukdar, a highly respected leader in senior care, about the Medicare Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model. They discuss this groundbreaking program, which is changing how dementia is treated in the U.S. by providing comprehensive, wraparound support for both patients and their caregivers. Tune in to learn about eligibility, program benefits, and why this model is a crucial step forward in eldercare.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:19: Introduction

  • Host Laura Daniels welcomes listeners and introduces the podcast's purpose: providing guidance and answers for every step of the eldercare journey.

• 00:20 - 01:11: Meet the Host, Laura Daniels

  • Laura shares her background as a registered nurse specializing in geriatrics and the motivation behind creating Navigating Eldercare and her company, Care Advocates.

• 01:12 - 01:39: The Mission of Care Advocates

  • Laura explains how her company, Care Advocates, works with families to create customized care plans and provides ongoing support, education, and advocacy.

• 01:40 - 02:05: Introduction of Guest, Mona Talukdar

  • Laura introduces her guest, Mona Talukdar, a respected leader in senior care with over 12 years of experience in memory care, highlighting her work with the Alzheimer's Association and the Medicare GUIDE model.

• 02:06 - 02:31: Understanding the GUIDE Program

  • Mona explains what the Medicare Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) program is—a new, groundbreaking program that funds not only medical care but also navigation, education, and support for dementia patients and their caregivers.

• 02:32 - 03:23: The Groundbreaking Nature of GUIDE

  • Mona discusses why the GUIDE program is so important, emphasizing that dementia is a "family disease" and that the program is the first of its kind to recognize and support the needs of caregivers with services like respite care.

• 03:24 - 04:20: What Makes GUIDE Different

  • The discussion highlights how GUIDE differs from other Medicare benefits by bringing multiple support services under one umbrella, including 24/7 support, caregiver education, and paid respite care.

• 04:21 - 05:41: GUIDE Program Eligibility and Exclusions

  • Mona clarifies who is eligible for the program (those with a formal dementia diagnosis and traditional Medicare) and who is not (Medicare Advantage members, and those in nursing homes or on hospice).

• 05:42 - 06:35: Finding a GUIDE Participant

  • Mona advises listeners on how to find a local GUIDE participant through the Medicare or CMS website and provides her contact information for those in the San Antonio area.

• 06:36 - 08:31: The Benefits of GUIDE

  • Mona details the key benefits of the program, including dementia-trained care navigators, 24/7 phone support for crises, individualized care plans, and home assessments.

• 08:32 - 10:21: The Role of a Care Navigator

  • Mona explains the critical role of the care navigator as a personal assistant who coordinates care, arranges services like counseling and respite, and knows the patient's needs inside and out.

• 10:22 - 11:17: The Onboarding and Alignment Process

  • Mona describes the process of "alignment," which involves a comprehensive assessment, gathering medical records, and getting approval from Medicare to begin receiving GUIDE services.

• 11:18 - 12:45: The Importance of Caregiver Training and Education

  • Mona and Laura discuss the toll of caregiver burnout and why the education and training component of the GUIDE program are so vital to help caregivers understand dementia behaviors, manage stress, and prevent accelerated aging.

• 12:46 - 14:06: The Value of Respite Care

  • Mona emphasizes the importance of respite services, which offer short-term relief for caregivers through in-home support, adult day programs, or overnight stays, all paid for by Medicare at no cost to the family.

• 14:07 - 15:03: Access and Availability

  • Mona advises listeners outside of San Antonio how to find a GUIDE program near them by searching the Medicare website or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

• 15:04 - 16:35: Support Groups and Classes

  • Mona explains the types of support groups and educational classes offered, providing an example of how training can help caregivers recognize symptoms of a UTI in dementia patients.

• 16:36 - 18:27: Integration with Existing Medical Care

  • Mona clarifies that the GUIDE program does not replace a patient's existing doctors but instead works as a collaborative part of the medical team, sharing updates and care plans with primary care physicians and specialists.

• 18:28 - 19:25: Caregiver Responsibilities

  • Mona outlines the responsibilities of caregivers in the program, stressing the importance of active engagement, honest communication, and participation in training and assessments.

• 19:26 - 20:22: Long-Term Impact and Honesty in Feedback

  • Mona and Laura discuss the long-term goals of the GUIDE program, including reducing hospitalizations and healthcare costs, and the need for caregivers to be honest about their struggles to ensure the program can truly help.

• 20:23 - 22:20: A Case Study of a Family Benefiting from GUIDE

  • Mona shares a hypothetical case study of a family whose loved one has dementia and Parkinson's, illustrating how the GUIDE program's support can help them keep their loved one at home longer.

• 22:21 - 23:17: Hopes for the Future of Dementia Care

  • Mona expresses her hope that the GUIDE program will change how dementia is treated in the United States, shifting the focus from a medical condition to a supported family journey.

• 23:18 - 25:31: Conclusion and Contact Information

  • Laura thanks Mona for her insights and encourages listeners to subscribe, like, and share the podcast. She provides contact information for Care Advocates for a free consultation.

Professional Affiliations:

• National Placement and Referral Alliance
• Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA)
• National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC)

Laura's approach combines professional expertise with heartfelt understanding, making her an invaluable resource for families facing the challenges of elder care decisions. Her commitment to improving quality of life for seniors shines through in every interaction, making her the perfect guide for listeners navigating their own elder care journeys.

📅 Tune in Sundays at 8:30am–9:00am on 930AM The Answer or listen anytime on your favorite podcast app. Watch the full video episodes here on YouTube for added insights and resources.
Contact Laura for a Free Consultation:
📞 210-669-2222
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.advocatern.com

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