Iona Senior Services Selected by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to Test Medicare Dementia Care Model
Washington, D.C. (August 22, 2024) — Today, Iona Senior Services (Iona) announced they have been selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in a new Medicare alternative payment model designed to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Under CMS’ Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, Iona will be one of almost 400 participants building Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) across the country, working to increase care coordination and improve access to services and supports, including respite care, for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Iona will begin meeting with community partners and clients over the next year to develop and implement this new model, with full participation starting in July 2025.
“CMS is excited to partner with Iona Senior Services under the GUIDE Model,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “GUIDE is a new approach to how Medicare will pay for the care of people living with dementia. The GUIDE participants are envisioning new ways to support not only people living with dementia, but also to reduce strain on the people who care for them, so that more Americans can remain in their homes and communities, rather than in institutions.”
“Iona is honored to be selected as a participant in the GUIDE Model, which aligns perfectly with our mission to support older adults and their caregivers through innovative, person-centered care,” says Iona’s CEO Joon Bang. “By focusing on comprehensive support and respite services, we can significantly improve the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers. We look forward to partnering with CMS to pioneer new ways to deliver care that truly meets the needs of older adults and families across the District.”
GUIDE Participants represent a wide range of health care providers, including large academic medical centers, small group practices, community-based organizations, health systems, hospice agencies, and other practices.
This model delivers on a promise in the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and aligns with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information on CMS’ GUIDE Model, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide.
To learn about Iona’s ADRD programs, please visit: www.iona.org.
ABOUT IONA:
Iona Senior Services is a nonprofit in the District of Columbia that helps more than 3,500 older adults and their families each year as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging. Iona educates, advocates and provides community-based services to help people age well and live well. For more information, visit www.iona.org.
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