Latest news with #GUIDE
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
A Place At Home Enhances Dementia Care with PocketRN Partnership
National in-home care franchise expands access to dementia care services through new CMS-backed program OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A Place At Home, a senior-focused home care provider franchise, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with PocketRN, a virtual nursing platform supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) GUIDE Model – a national initiative designed to improve care for individuals living with dementia. Through this innovative partnership, nearly all A Place At Home franchise owners will support the delivery of in-home respite care for families enrolled in GUIDE through PocketRN. Eligible dementia patients and their caregivers will receive access to Medicare-covered respite services provided by A Place At Home, alongside 24/7 virtual nursing support and ongoing caregiver management delivered by PocketRN. The program offers four-hour increments of respite care, totaling up to 72 hours annually, helping families navigate the complexities of dementia care. "Dementia deeply affects the entire family, not just the person diagnosed. Through the CMS GUIDE Model, we're now able to bring meaningful support directly into the home – support that was rarely accessible before," said Dustin Distefano, co-founder and CEO of A Place At Home. "This partnership allows professionally trained caregivers from A Place At Home to provide respite, guidance, and peace of mind to spouses, children, and other family members who are often overwhelmed and under-resourced. It's a powerful step toward caring for the whole family, not just the condition." How It Works Local A Place At Home franchise owners will refer clients with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of dementia who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to PocketRN. PocketRN then conducts a comprehensive assessment in alignment with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements, and once approved, the A Place At Home team conducts a home safety evaluation and initiates care. The initiative also helps alleviate one of the top concerns in caregiving: burnout. According to a recent AARP study, over 84% of family caregivers report that caregiving had a moderate or high impact on the stress they feel daily "Caregiving for a loved one, especially one with dementia, can be overwhelming physically, emotionally, and financially," said Jennifer Axelrod, National Accounts and Growth Strategist at A Place At Home. "This partnership gives families a lifeline. By combining Medicare-covered respite hours with 24/7 access to trained nurses, we're not only expanding care, but we're also helping caregivers breathe, reset, and know they're not alone." This program offers relief, especially during post-hospital transitions, by providing a trained care team while families sort everything out. Franchise owners benefit from full training and bi-weekly webinars to ensure operational readiness. Additionally, after-hours nursing calls are routed directly to PocketRN, improving patient care and reducing administrative burden. "A Place At Home is excited to continue building partnerships like this one to grow upon our mission of helping families when they can't be there," said Axelrod. "It enhances our service offering and empowers our franchisees to deliver an even higher level of compassionate care." For more information about A Place At Home and its services, or to learn more about franchise opportunities, visit About A Place At Home A Place At Home offers a range of customized senior-focused care services, including in-home care, care coordination, and assistance in identifying and transitioning to senior living alternatives. The company is dedicated to preserving the quality of life for seniors by giving them the support they need to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible. Visit for more information. Media Contact: Allyson PiantanidaAPiantanida@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE A Place At Home Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
17-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Rippl Reports 30% Reduction in Emergency Department Visits for Seniors Living with Dementia
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rippl, a company focused on transforming dementia care, announced early findings from its participation in Medicare's GUIDE program showing a 30% reduction in emergency department (ED) visits among program participants. 'By proactively managing the behavioral and medical complexities of dementia, and supporting caregivers in real time, we are seeing fewer moments that escalate to emergency care. It's the kind of impact we hoped to see..." Share The analysis compared the six months prior to enrollment with the six months following enrollment in Rippl's dementia care services. Results suggest that timely, expert-led dementia care can significantly reduce avoidable emergency department use. 'Since we started Rippl in 2021, our goal has been to help seniors stay healthier at home and out of the emergency room and hospital,' said Kris Engskov, Founder and CEO of Rippl. 'This data shows that when dementia care is built around accessibility, clinical expertise, and family support, we can change outcomes — and quality of life — in a meaningful way.' Emergency department visits are a frequent and often avoidable occurrence for individuals living with dementia. National studies show that seniors with dementia visit the ER 2.5 times more often than those without the disease. More than 75% of those visits result in a hospital admission, and over 60% begin with an ambulance ride. These events are often triggered by preventable behavioral, medical, or caregiver-related escalations that could be addressed earlier in the care journey. 'These are exciting, positive early results,' said Dr. Jamie Sharp, Chief Medical Officer at Rippl. 'By proactively managing the behavioral and medical complexities of dementia, and supporting caregivers in real time, we are seeing fewer moments that escalate to emergency care. It's the kind of impact we hoped to see — and one we're committed to building on.' In addition to the reduction in ED visits, Rippl reported strong early signals of satisfaction among those receiving care. Customer satisfaction (CSAT) is currently 94 percent, with the overwhelming majority of patients and caregivers rating their experience as 'excellent' or 'good.' Rippl's Net Promoter Score (NPS) stands at 96, reflecting strong trust and willingness to recommend the service. This score significantly exceeds industry norms for telehealth and virtual care, where average NPS ranges between 40 and 60, signaling that Rippl isn't just delivering effective care — it's delivering an experience that patients and caregivers actively advocate. Rippl is one of the first organizations participating in GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), a national, eight-year initiative led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve care for people living with dementia and support their unpaid caregivers. For more information about Rippl and its initiatives, please visit About Rippl Care Rippl is redefining dementia care for older adults and their families. Built to meet the complex needs of people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, Rippl delivers 24/7 access to expert, relationship and clinically-based care from a dedicated team of specialists. The company partners with value-based care entities in risk-based contracts, improving outcomes for patients and caregivers alike. Rippl is backed by ARCH Venture Partners and General Catalyst. Learn more at
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ceresti Health Opens Medicare GUIDE ‘Wait List' for Dementia Care
SAN DIEGO, May 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ceresti Health, the nation's leading tech-enabled dementia care provider, has opened a digital "wait list" for people in all 50 states on traditional Medicare whose family caregivers want to queue up for Medicare's free dementia care program before it launches on July 1, 2025. The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center is designed to increase access to much-needed support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. GUIDE will provide: 1:1 support from a dedicated, vetted Caregiver Coach Personalized dementia education, caregiving tools and resources Up to $2,500 per year for family caregiver breaks (respite care)—fully funded The program is fully funded by Medicare, with no out-of-pocket costs to patients or their family caregivers. As one of only 390 participating organizations, Ceresti was selected by CMS to test this new care model due to the company's proven ability to activate family caregivers to lower costs and improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families through Medicare Advantage. Today, the company is excited to expand the program to help family caregivers of patients on traditional Medicare. With the opening of the "wait list," Ceresti furthers its mission by helping family caregivers find out if they are eligible to enroll in the program. "Activating family caregivers by giving them the just-in-time tools, training and support they need significantly lowers healthcare costs, improves outcomes, relieves caregiver burnout and increases health equity," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Ceresti Health. "Through the GUIDE Model, CMS is shining a light on the role the caregiver plays in improving the quality of life for people living with dementia, and we are proud to partner in this effort." Once a person's eligibility is verified by Medicare, Ceresti will enroll them in the program and send an iPad-like tablet (the Ceresti tablet) to the family caregiver's home. The Ceresti tablet is preloaded with the Ceresti app and Internet access is included. No WiFi is needed. The Ceresti tablet is configured to be usable only for the Ceresti program. The Ceresti tablet allows the family caregiver to share regular assessments and monitoring with a dedicated Care Navigator. Any changes in condition can be immediately identified and addressed, providing the patient with the care they need and giving the caregiver the knowledge and resources to best support their loved one. Family caregivers have described the Ceresti program as lifechanging as they navigate their loved one's dementia journey. "With dad I try really hard not to show frustration and try to be upbeat about things, and this program is helping me really understand it all better, and has been very helpful for me," said a daughter of a person with dementia. "The safety part is a huge issue, and he is not really capable of it and cannot do that piece for himself. I am learning a lot, and my coach has been wonderful." "Family caregivers are often the first – and best – people on a patient's 'team' to detect subtle changes that could signify such emerging issues as urinary tract infections, medication noncompliance and other problems that, if noticed and solved early, can head off a costly and disruptive hospitalization," said Ceresti Chief Medical Officer John Mach, M.D., who commends CMS for its focus on innovating beyond the traditional model of caregiver support. "Giving family caregivers a set of resources like websites and brochures falls short. It's not helpful, not sufficient," Dr. Mach said. "What Ceresti offers is not caregiver support, but caregiver enablement. Nobody else has the customized support that provides the just-in-time training for caregivers. This is unique, and it is making a difference." To access the Ceresti wait list and queue up for GUIDE assistance in dementia care, visit ABOUT CERESTI Ceresti Health is a tech-enabled dementia care provider with a differentiated model of care that activates family caregivers to improve outcomes and significantly reduce the high and largely hidden healthcare costs associated with dementia. Independently validated clinical studies found that Ceresti reduced avoidable hospitalizations more than 50%. Ceresti has been selected to participate in the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center. The goal of the GUIDE Model is to increase access to much-needed support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. To learn more about Ceresti Health, visit View source version on Contacts For Media Inquiries: Mayrav Saar Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
22-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Ceresti Health Opens Medicare GUIDE ‘Wait List' for Dementia Care
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ceresti Health, the nation's leading tech-enabled dementia care provider, has opened a digital ' wait list ' for people in all 50 states on traditional Medicare whose family caregivers want to queue up for Medicare's free dementia care program before it launches on July 1, 2025. The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center is designed to increase access to much-needed support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. GUIDE will provide: 1:1 support from a dedicated, vetted Caregiver Coach Personalized dementia education, caregiving tools and resources Up to $2,500 per year for family caregiver breaks (respite care)—fully funded The program is fully funded by Medicare, with no out-of-pocket costs to patients or their family caregivers. As one of only 390 participating organizations, Ceresti was selected by CMS to test this new care model due to the company's proven ability to activate family caregivers to lower costs and improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families through Medicare Advantage. Today, the company is excited to expand the program to help family caregivers of patients on traditional Medicare. With the opening of the 'wait list,' Ceresti furthers its mission by helping family caregivers find out if they are eligible to enroll in the program. 'Activating family caregivers by giving them the just-in-time tools, training and support they need significantly lowers healthcare costs, improves outcomes, relieves caregiver burnout and increases health equity,' said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Ceresti Health. 'Through the GUIDE Model, CMS is shining a light on the role the caregiver plays in improving the quality of life for people living with dementia, and we are proud to partner in this effort.' Once a person's eligibility is verified by Medicare, Ceresti will enroll them in the program and send an iPad-like tablet (the Ceresti tablet) to the family caregiver's home. The Ceresti tablet is preloaded with the Ceresti app and Internet access is included. No WiFi is needed. The Ceresti tablet is configured to be usable only for the Ceresti program. The Ceresti tablet allows the family caregiver to share regular assessments and monitoring with a dedicated Care Navigator. Any changes in condition can be immediately identified and addressed, providing the patient with the care they need and giving the caregiver the knowledge and resources to best support their loved one. Family caregivers have described the Ceresti program as lifechanging as they navigate their loved one's dementia journey. "With dad I try really hard not to show frustration and try to be upbeat about things, and this program is helping me really understand it all better, and has been very helpful for me,' said a daughter of a person with dementia. 'The safety part is a huge issue, and he is not really capable of it and cannot do that piece for himself. I am learning a lot, and my coach has been wonderful." 'Family caregivers are often the first – and best – people on a patient's 'team' to detect subtle changes that could signify such emerging issues as urinary tract infections, medication noncompliance and other problems that, if noticed and solved early, can head off a costly and disruptive hospitalization,' said Ceresti Chief Medical Officer John Mach, M.D., who commends CMS for its focus on innovating beyond the traditional model of caregiver support. 'Giving family caregivers a set of resources like websites and brochures falls short. It's not helpful, not sufficient,' Dr. Mach said. 'What Ceresti offers is not caregiver support, but caregiver enablement. Nobody else has the customized support that provides the just-in-time training for caregivers. This is unique, and it is making a difference.' To access the Ceresti wait list and queue up for GUIDE assistance in dementia care, visit ABOUT CERESTI Ceresti Health is a tech-enabled dementia care provider with a differentiated model of care that activates family caregivers to improve outcomes and significantly reduce the high and largely hidden healthcare costs associated with dementia. Independently validated clinical studies found that Ceresti reduced avoidable hospitalizations more than 50%. Ceresti has been selected to participate in the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center. The goal of the GUIDE Model is to increase access to much-needed support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. To learn more about Ceresti Health, visit
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
LifeCare Solutions and PATHS Partner to Deliver Scalable Dementia Caregiver Support for CMS GUIDE Model Success
Partnership combines expert dementia care education with PATHS' 24/7 digital platform to empower caregivers, equip care teams with real-time insights, and help GUIDE participants meet CMS goals at scale. AUBURN, Ala., May 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LifeCare Solutions for Seniors, LLC (LifeCare Solutions), a leader in care management for individuals with complex health needs, today announced a strategic partnership with PATHS, the patient engagement and education platform redefining connected care journeys. Together, they are launching a scalable solution to deliver expert dementia care support as part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. As a GUIDE participant in Alabama, LifeCare Solutions will utilize the PATHS platform to deliver high-quality, on-demand dementia education, drawing from their training via trusted educational sources such as Positive Approach to Care® (PAC). Through PATHS, caregivers gain 24/7 access to personalized care steps, behavior-tracking tools, and practical, clinician-endorsed resources—all from one intuitive, mobile-friendly hub. Simultaneously, care teams access real-time engagement data to track caregiver confidence, adherence, and learning needs. "The partnership with PATHS allows us to meet GUIDE Model requirements with precision and compassion," said Christy Baynes, CEO and Geriatric Care Manager at LifeCare Solutions. "We're expanding caregiver training across Alabama consistently, measurably, and with heart. Our families receive the right guidance at the right time—and our care teams are already seeing the difference." The CMS GUIDE Model aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia while alleviating caregiver burden through structured, community-based supports. PATHS helps organizations like LifeCare Solutions scale their efforts, centralizing caregiver education, communication, and real-time monitoring in a simple, connected platform. By integrating PATHS, LifeCare Solutions offers a new standard of dementia caregiver support: a fully guided digital experience that turns overwhelming care into clear, confident action, while giving providers data-driven insights to adapt and intervene when necessary. "Caregivers are the true foundation of dementia care, yet they are often the least supported," said Kermit Farmer, Founder and CEO of PATHS. "This partnership showcases what's possible when you combine expert content, real-time insights, and truly patient-and caregiver-centered technology. LifeCare Solutions is leading the way for GUIDE participants nationwide, and we're proud to power their expansion of scalable, whole-person care, without added administrative burden." With more than 6 million Americans living with memory loss (Alzheimer's or related dementias), and many more caregivers in need of help, the ability to deliver accessible, high-quality training is a cornerstone of the GUIDE Model's eight-year strategy. This partnership marks a new era in dementia care innovation where expert content, digital access, and coordinated support come together to set a new standard for how dementia education and caregiver support are delivered. About LifeCare Solutions LifeCare Solutions provides care management services designed to improve quality of life and health outcomes for individuals and their families. With a focus on compassion, education, and coordination, LifeCare Solutions supports patients through every step of their health journey. About PATHS PATHS is a 24/7 digital care companion that transforms patient experiences with guided, connected care journeys. By delivering personalized step-by-step care plans, real-time engagement tracking, and educational resources across any specialty, PATHS bridges the gaps between appointments—improving outcomes, reducing administrative burden, and bringing confidence to patients and clinicians alike. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media contact: Drew Mathias, drew@
