Medicare pays for your break.
GUIDE covers up to 80 hours a year of backup care for your loved one, a care navigator who knows your family, and an always-on support line you can call at 2am. Free.
No obligation. We’ll tell you on the spot if you qualify. Is this legit?
We deliver the GUIDE program using UCSF's Care Ecosystem model for dementia.
Approved GUIDE Program Partner
Delivered with providers Medicare has approved to run GUIDE.
Your family's information, protected
HIPAA compliant. AES-256 encrypted. Never sold.
Is this legit?
Fair question. If you found us through Facebook, you should be suspicious of “free” and “Medicare” in the same sentence. So don't take our word for it:
GUIDE is a government program.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) in July 2024. Read the CMS page before you read another word of ours.
Designed by a university.
We deliver UCSF's Care Ecosystem, a dementia care model tested in a randomized clinical trial before it was ever offered to a family.
No cost to you.
If you qualify, Medicare covers GUIDE. No copay, no program fee. If you don't, we say so. The rest of tendercare is always free to use.
up to
Hours of backup care per year
Up to $2,625 a year in respite care you choose, covered by Medicare.
A break for you. Care for them.
Go to your doctor. Sleep through a night. Go out with friends. You stop weighing the cost against the need, because the cost is covered.
- In-home help, by the hour or the day
- An adult day program while you work
- A short stay somewhere licensed
What you actually get
Support for your loved one, and for you.
A covered break, up to 80 hours
Up to $2,625 a year in respite care, so you can rest, travel, or just catch your breath.
Someone to call at 2am
A 24/7 support line for whenever things get hard.
A guide who knows your situation
One dedicated person who understands what you're dealing with and coordinates the care.
A plan built around your loved one
A care plan shaped to real needs and updated as things change.
Answers when you're unsure
Guidance on dementia care and what to expect next, in plain language.
Help finding local resources
Connections to community services like transportation and meal delivery.
See if your family qualifies, it takes about 2 minutes.
Not sure if you qualify?
It takes a couple of minutes to find out, and we walk you through it. A quick check first:
- Your loved one has Original Medicare (Parts A and B), not a Medicare Advantage plan
- They have a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer's, or a related condition
- They live at home, not in a nursing facility
- You're the primary caregiver who can take part in the program
Let's find out together
The eligibility check is quick, free, and there's no commitment.
Check eligibilityHow it works
Four simple steps, and we're with you the whole way.Four simple steps — and we're with you the whole way.
Check eligibility
A quick check to see if your family qualifies.
Talk to our team
A specialist answers your questions & maps out next steps.
Complete enrollment
We help gather documents and handle the paperwork with you.
Start getting support
Access your care plan, respite funding, and full benefits.
Medicare GUIDE Program FAQs
GUIDE ("Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience") is a voluntary Medicare program launched by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) in 2024 to support people with dementia and their family caregivers. It covers care coordination, caregiver education, 24/7 support, and financial assistance for backup care – all at no out-of-pocket cost. tendercare helps families navigate the program and access these benefits.
Yes. The program is covered by Medicare and requires no additional payment from eligible participants. Care coordination and the annual respite benefit are included.
tendercare partners with participating health plans and GUIDE providers to help families determine eligibility, coordinate enrollment, and access support services. We don't replace Medicare providers or make final eligibility decisions.
Yes. GUIDE complements your existing Medicare coverage and providers. Your loved one continues seeing their current doctors and specialists while gaining added care coordination and caregiver support.
It can typically cover short-term in-home caregiving, adult day programs, or temporary stays in licensed care facilities — giving you time to rest or manage other responsibilities while your loved one is cared for.
Medicare guidelines require that your loved one:
- Have a confirmed dementia diagnosis (such as Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, or Lewy body dementia) from a doctor.
- Be enrolled in Original (Traditional) Medicare Parts A and B with Medicare as their primary insurer (not Medicare Advantage).
- Live in a private home or an approved community setting (not a long-term nursing home).
The quickest way to know for sure is to take our 2-minute eligibility check.
Get the support you deserve
Take the first step today. Checking your eligibility takes just a couple of minutes.
Questions? Email us at support@trytendercare.com