Dementia Support Through the CT GUIDE Program
The GUIDE Program at The Connecticut Hospice provides comprehensive, coordinated support for people living with dementia and the families who care for them.
Built on decades of hospice and palliative care expertise, our GUIDE Program helps patients maintain quality of life while easing the emotional, physical, and logistical demands placed on caregivers.
The Connecticut Hospice is one of only two approved GUIDE partners in the state. Our program is part of a national dementia care initiative developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is available to eligible Medicare Parts A & B patients.
Medicare Advantage plans are not eligible.
How We Guide Dementia Care
At The Connecticut Hospice, GUIDE is delivered through a deeply personal, team-based approach. Support is centered on the individual living with dementia (including their needs, values, and stage of illness), while caregivers receive the guidance and relief needed to continue caring with confidence.
For Patients
- Personalized care planning
- Ongoing symptom management support
- Care coordination across medical providers
For Caregivers
- Help navigating medical decisions and care planning
- Education and resources specific to dementia care
- Access to respite services when breaks are needed
This care isn’t static. As dementia changes, the support provided also evolves, ensuring care remains appropriate, responsive, and steady.
Who the GUIDE Program Is For
You and your loved one may qualify for the GUIDE Program if they:
- Have a dementia diagnosis at any stage
- Are enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B (not Medicare Advantage)
- Live in the community (not in long-term care)
- Reside within New Haven, Fairfield, or Middlesex counties
Qualifying patients can access comprehensive GUIDE support at no cost. Before enrolling, families should speak with their primary care physician or neurologist to determine whether GUIDE is the right fit.
How to Join the GUIDE Program:
Medicare A & B patients with dementia may enroll in GUIDE through The Connecticut Hospice.
To learn more or request an assessment, call (800) 283-0174 or complete the GUIDE Information Request Form. If eligible, our team will work with you to create a personalized care plan and provide ongoing support.
[request form]
Outpatient Hospital Care Options
Outpatient Palliative Clinic
Our Stand By Me palliative clinic eases life with serious illness through symptom relief, care planning, and guidance for patients and families.
GUIDE Dementia Program
Comprehensive support, coordinated care, education, and caregiver relief for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Outpatient Acute Hospital Care
Short-term hospital-based care for urgent medical needs, allowing patients to be treated and return home the same day.
Veteran Focused Care
We Honor Veterans
Specialized hospice care that recognizes veterans’ service and supports their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Veteran Disability Screening
Assistance for veterans seeking evaluation and documentation for service-related conditions and disability benefits.
When Is Outpatient Care the Right Choice?
Outpatient care may be appropriate for people living with serious or progressive illness who need additional monitoring, guidance, or short-term medical intervention as part of an ongoing plan of care.
The goal is simple: address what needs attention now, help stabilize symptoms, and allow patients to return home the same day whenever possible. Care is thoughtful, responsive, and designed to complement home-based, palliative, or hospice services already in place.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Hospital
Our 52-bed waterfront hospital is available to all our home care patients, as well as new patients referred by families or our community partners.
This facility provides 24/7 expert-level symptom management, including infused pain medications and rapid dose adjustments for patients whose symptoms cannot be managed at home.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Home Care
Our home care services support patients in private homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities across all levels of palliative and hospice care.
Care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams focused on comfort, caregiver support, and continuity, allowing patients to remain at home whenever clinically appropriate.
Admissions
Admission to The Connecticut Hospice is a collaborative process guided by each patient’s needs and goals of care.
Our team works closely with patients, families, and referring providers to ensure the right level of support, in the right setting, at the right time.
A Comprehensive Approach
At The Connecticut Hospice, families and caregivers are an essential part of the care experience. That’s why we support patients and the people who love them together.
Care plans are shaped around shared goals, personal needs, and what matters most in daily life. Our interdisciplinary team works across settings and services to ensure care is coordinated, responsive, and attentive to the emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of everyone involved.
We help bring clarity and compassion to serious illness, so patients and loved ones can focus on the moments that matter most.
How Can We Help?
Make a Donation
As a local not-for-profit, The Connecticut Hospice relies on donor support to provide individualized services and therapies not fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
Your generosity helps ensure that every patient and family receives the care, comfort, and support they need, regardless of circumstances.