On Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, Carolina Caring launched a new Dementia Care Program designed to provide expert support and services to patients with a dementia diagnosis. As part of this launch, Carolina Caring also announced approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the “Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience” (GUIDE) Model of Care, a national initiative which seeks to improve quality of life for dementia patients.
The expansion of this Dementia Care Program builds upon years of Carolina Caring’s internal development and collaboration with universities and professional partners. The program is now accepted as a National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) Dementia Care Program.
Through the GUIDE Model, Carolina Caring palliative medicine patients who have a dementia diagnosis and who meet certain eligibility requirements now have access to support and resources which were traditionally only available to hospice patients. This includes on-going check-ins, care from a specialized team of nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians, access to 24/7 support via phone, connections to community resources, and more.
“Receiving approval to participate in the GUIDE Model represents a major milestone in how we care for patients living with dementia,” said Sue Nelson, Clinical Chief Operations Officer, Carolina Caring. “We are now able to provide all dementia patients with similar levels of compassionate support, which closes a critical gap in services.”
Whether enrolled in palliative medicine or hospice care, Carolina Caring’s Dementia Care patients will benefit from personalized care plans, around-the-clock support from specialized care teams, a focus on staying in the home and out of the hospital, and additional help for family members and caregivers, all of which can lead to enhanced quality of life.
To learn more about Carolina Caring, its services, and its mission to provide compassionate care for patients living with serious illness, please visit the organization’s website, carolinacaring.org or call 828.466.0466.
ABOUT CAROLINA CARING
Founded in 1979, Carolina Caring is an independent, community-based, nonprofit healthcare provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care, and grief counseling. Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Charlotte Region. For more information about the organization and its mission, please call (828) 466-0466 or visit www.carolinacaring.org.
