By:
Kim Butrum, MS, RN, GNP
Senior Vice President, Clinical Services
Silverado is excited to announce our ongoing participation in the GUIDE program. GUIDE stands for “Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience.” Launched in 2024 as part of a CMS Innovation grant, CMS developed this program to understand if there are ways to support people living with dementia and their families that can lead to improved health care outcomes and utilization of resources while offering additional caregiver support.
Silverado already leads the industry with outstanding dementia outcomes—including lower ER transfers and hospitalizations. The GUIDE Program builds on that excellence by adding structured care coordination, proactive communication, and early detection tools to respond to health changes faster.
Silverado appreciates having the opportunity to share with CMS the industry leading clinical outcomes that we have achieved over the past 29 years by reducing inappropriate transfers to the hospital when our clinical teams can manage needed first aid in the community instead.
Your specific community may have already started enrollment for the GUIDE program but you can still enroll if interested. Several communities will be beginning enrollment soon. The Director of Resident and Family Services in your community is available to answer any questions or assist with enrollment as needed.
Any resident on a Medicare Advantage program or Hospice currently is not able to participate in GUIDE.
For residents with moderate to severe impairment in which the Caregiver completes an extra questionnaire, GUIDE may offer approximately $2360 in respite services annually.
We are happy to see that Medicare is finally paying attention to those people living with dementia and their Caregivers and working to improve outcomes.
What support does GUIDE add?
Extra care planning, better communication, and early detection to help prevent hospital visits.
For those residents with moderate to advanced dementia, if the responsible party completes a 5-minute questionnaire, CMS will provide approximately $2500 toward respite care (approximately 70 hours) on an annual basis.
Do we keep our current doctors?
Yes—nothing changes. GUIDE is added support, not a replacement.
Who is Tembo Health?
A senior-focused telehealth company chosen by CMS to deliver the GUIDE program.
Is there a cost? No. The program is 100% funded by Medicare—completely free to families.
Why This Matters
By enrolling, you’re giving your loved one access to even greater support—and helping shape how Medicare supports dementia care for millions of Americans. Together, we can improve care for your loved one—and for generations to come.
We believe every eligible Silverado resident should benefit from this enhanced care. Those residents who are currently on hospice or a Medicare Advantage program are not eligible for the GUIDE program.
Concerned about someone who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s?
