Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program
The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program provides specialized support for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their families and caregivers. The program’s Dementia Care Specialists partner closely with UCLA primary care physicians and specialists to create individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s medical, behavioral, and social needs.
The program aims to help patients maintain function, independence, and dignity while reducing caregiver stress. Services include comprehensive initial assessments, personalized care plans, ongoing follow-up appointments, and 24/7 access to support for urgent concerns. Patients also receive annual evaluations to ensure their needs continue to be met. Medicare covers many of the clinical visits, and the program offers additional free resources such as support groups, education, and community referrals.
CMS GUIDE Model
The CMS Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model is a national Medicare initiative that provides comprehensive, coordinated dementia care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. UCLA’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program began participating in July 2024, offering enhanced services aimed at improving quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. [uclahealth.org]
Through the GUIDE Model, eligible Medicare patients receive structured dementia care that includes personalized care coordination, caregiver education and support, and 24/7 access to assistance. Patients with moderate or severe dementia also receive an in‑home visit, and some may qualify for limited respite services such as in‑home or adult day care support. The program’s overall goal is to help people with dementia remain safely in their homes and communities while reducing caregiver stress and avoiding unnecessary emergency visits or hospitalizations. [uclahealth.org]