An innovative Medicare program for the whole dementia journey.
GUIDE — Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience — provides comprehensive coordination and support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, including respite care, at no additional cost to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Vela brings it to life with compassionate, stage-appropriate support, delivered where people already live.
Specialized support, made simple.
A dedicated Care Navigator
One personal point of contact who builds the care plan, answers questions, and coordinates everything in between.
24/7 access to clinical support
Geriatric-trained clinicians available around the clock through in-community coordination and telehealth, backed by Vela physicians.
Respite care for caregivers
Up to $2,625 a year toward in-home aides or adult day programs, giving family caregivers much-needed breaks.
Caregiver education & coaching
Practical tips, training, and resources to handle daily challenges with more confidence.
Community connections
Help arranging transportation, meals, and local resources so daily life stays fuller and safer.
A quick way to know if GUIDE is a fit.
✓ You may be eligible if you…
GUIDE may not be the right fit if you…
Not sure? Reach out — we'll help you check.
Care that delivers results.
ER visits and hospital admissions through proactive coordination
fall risk with prevention plans built into daily routines
communication and confidence for families and caregivers
The Vela way — three simple steps.
Reach out or get referred
A family member, a community team, or a provider sends us a name. No doctor's order is required to start the conversation.
Meet your Care Navigator
We complete an individualized, in-community assessment and build a care plan around the resident and family.
Ongoing support, together
Your team coordinates care, checks in between visits, and stands alongside you through every stage of the journey.
You don't have to hold it all on your own.
A dementia diagnosis changes everything for a family. GUIDE surrounds you with a team that knows your loved one and walks beside you — so you can step back into being a daughter, a son, a spouse.
Check eligibility & get support →A GUIDE partner that comes to the community.
For independent living communities, PCPs, and dementia-serving organizations: refer your residents and patients into a turn-key GUIDE program staffed by Vela's embedded, geriatric-trained team. You stay their provider — we add the coordination.
Refer to GUIDE →Care you can feel.
Knowing a trusted care team is helping care for our parents has made a real difference.
We have partners now. The whole team looks out for my mom.
Vela Health has helped me so much with my mom. It is so great to have the support they provide and an advocate for my mom.
Good to know.
How much does GUIDE cost?
For people with Traditional Medicare who qualify, GUIDE services are fully covered — there is no additional cost to you.
Do we need a doctor's order to start?
No. A family member, a community team, or a provider can reach out directly and we'll guide you from there.
Who provides the care?
A multidisciplinary Vela team — a Care Navigator plus geriatric-trained clinicians — working in person inside your community and by telehealth.
What is respite care?
Coverage toward in-home aides or adult day programs that give family caregivers a planned break while quality care continues.
Interested in learning more about GUIDE?
Check eligibility, ask a question, or refer a resident. Our team will take it from there.
Contact us at info@velahealth.com or 888-790-0480
The statements contained on this webpage are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document. Lifetime Redesign OT PLLC, doing business as Vela Health, is an approved GUIDE Participant.