Medicare GUIDE program.
In-home respite for families caring for someone with dementia, through Medicare’s GUIDE program. Call us and we’ll get it started.
What is GUIDE?
GUIDE is a Medicare program for people living with dementia and the family who care for them. It’s run by CMS, the federal agency behind Medicare. It includes:
- A dementia care team and care navigator
- Support by phone, 24 hours a day
- Training and support for family caregivers
- Respite care, so the caregiver can take a break
There’s no cost to your family for GUIDE services.
Sandcastle’s part
Sandcastle is a GUIDE provider under Mobile Medical, the GUIDE participant that coordinates your loved one’s dementia care. Our caregivers provide the respite at home, so the family caregiver gets time for themselves.
Every Sandcastle office takes part, in every county we serve.
Getting started
- Make sure your loved one has Original Medicare (Parts A and B), not a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Call your nearest Sandcastle office or send us an inquiry, and we’ll get it started.
- From your call, it usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks to get going.
The yearly respite limit
GUIDE covers respite up to a yearly limit, which CMS sets and adjusts each year. Not every family in GUIDE gets respite. It’s for people with an unpaid caregiver, and the GUIDE care team confirms who qualifies.
When respite runs out
Sandcastle care can carry on once the yearly allowance is used, paid for another way.
- VA benefits
- Long-term care insurance
- Private pay, with no minimum hours and no long-term contract
GUIDE questions
Here to help and answer any questions you have. Toll Free (800) 572-0135
Does GUIDE cost anything?
No. CMS doesn’t allow GUIDE participants to charge families for GUIDE services, including respite. Respite has a yearly limit, so care beyond it is paid for another way.
Who qualifies for GUIDE?
People who:
- Are living with dementia, confirmed by a clinician
- Have Medicare Parts A and B, with Medicare as their main insurance
- Aren’t in a Medicare Advantage plan, a Special Needs Plan or PACE
- Haven’t chosen hospice
- Don’t live in a nursing home or memory care unit
CMS confirms eligibility. See the full rules on CMS.gov.
Is Sandcastle a GUIDE participant?
Sandcastle is a provider under Mobile Medical, which is the GUIDE participant. Mobile Medical coordinates your loved one’s care, and Sandcastle’s caregivers provide the respite at home.
Do we need a referral from a doctor?
You don’t need one to get started. As long as your loved one has Original Medicare, call us and we’ll get it started. A GUIDE clinician confirms the dementia diagnosis along the way.
Can my loved one leave GUIDE?
Yes. GUIDE is voluntary and you can stop at any time. Your regular Medicare benefits carry on as usual.
Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, GUIDE Model, GUIDE Model FAQs and GUIDE participant list (updated August 2026). Checked October 2026. CMS sets the eligibility rules and respite limit, and they can change.
How do I get started?
Call us Toll Free at (800) 572-0135, call your nearest office or request a call, and we’ll get GUIDE started.