PocketRN and Comfort Keepers® Announce National Strategic Partnership to Deliver CMS' GUIDE Dementia Care Model

Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a CMS Innovation Program, Aims to Transform Dementia Care Through Coordination, Community Support, and Compassion

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PocketRN, a pioneer in virtual nursing, and Comfort Keepers®, a leading provider of in-home care, today announced a National Strategic Partnership to implement the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) alternative payment model, Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE). The program is designed to enhance the quality of life for people living with dementia and to support the loved ones who care for them.

As one of nearly 400 participants selected nationally, PocketRN will lead Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) that bring accessible, continuous care to families across the U.S. In strategic alliance, Comfort Keepers will support PocketRN’s GUIDE participation by helping families access respite care and additional in-home support through its national franchise network of professionally trained in-home caregivers, many of whom specialize in dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

“We couldn't be more thrilled to bring our revolutionary Nurse for Life model to the millions of dementia patients and families who need it most,” said Jenna Morgenstern-Gaines, CEO of PocketRN. “With PocketRN, patients and families get unwavering support from a dedicated, trusted nurse as they navigate the complexities of managing dementia at no cost to them. Nurses are hands-down the best clinicians to be the ‘glue’ for patients and their families throughout their dementia journey–they've been doing so forever, and it's high time their work is valued by our system.”

“At Comfort Keepers, we’ve seen firsthand the daily challenges faced by individuals living with dementia and the families who care for them,” said Natalie Black, CEO of Comfort Keepers. “Partnering with PocketRN to deliver the GUIDE Model allows us to elevate our impact by combining clinical virtual care with our in-home, person-centered support. Through this strategic collaboration, we’re able to deliver coordinated care, expert guidance, and meaningful respite—empowering families to thrive together, even through the toughest moments.”

Empowering Families Through Expertly Trained Caregivers

Comfort Keepers' partnership with PocketRN under the GUIDE Model is uniquely supported by its Positive Pathways™ program, a positive, person-centered uplifting approach to caring for clients with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, encompassing an advanced curriculum designed for professional caregivers and enhanced family support. This program equips Comfort Keepers caregivers to deliver specialized, compassionate, and interactive dementia care that meets each client where they are, fostering dignity, connection, and joy.

From assisting with daily routines to offering cognitively stimulating engagement, Comfort Keepers caregivers provide care that is not only practical but emotionally uplifting. Their knowledge, combined with empathy-driven support, allows families to entrust their loved ones to care that truly understands the journey of dementia.

“Our caregivers are more than companions, they’re trained partners in care who understand the emotional, physical, and cognitive complexities of dementia,” said Rhea Jones, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Comfort Keepers. “This partnership with PocketRN reflects our shared vision to deliver compassionate, coordinated, and comprehensive dementia care. By combining PocketRN’s virtual nursing expertise with our Positive Pathways™ program, we’re not only enhancing care delivery, we’re giving families the confidence and support they need to face each day with dignity and hope.”

Launched July 1, 2024, CMS’ GUIDE Model offers:

• Comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans
• 24/7 access to interdisciplinary care teams
• Care coordination across clinical and non-clinical services
• Certain respite services for caregivers

Through this partnership, PocketRN and Comfort Keepers will work to expand access to caregiver education, dementia-specific support, and person-centered, in-home services. Together, they are forging a scalable and sustainable path forward for families—delivering quality care when and where it’s needed most.

For more information on CMS’ GUIDE Model, visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide

About Comfort Keepers

For 27 years, Comfort Keepers® has been Elevating the Human Spirit^SM through its in-home care network for seniors and other adults by empowering them to maintain their independence and realize joy in the everyday moments. Comfort Keepers operates a franchise network that has grown to more than 600 locations in the U.S. and Canada, serving hundreds of thousands of clients since 1998. The company’s nationwide network employs thousands of caregivers, also known as Comfort Keepers®, who deliver joy through interactive caregiving by continually communicating with, involving, and engaging with seniors in everyday tasks and activities. For more information, visit ComfortKeepers.com.

About PocketRN

PocketRN gives patients, families, and caregivers a Nurse for Life. Its mission is to close the gap between home and healthcare by: enabling nurses to care proactively and continuously at the top of their license, enabling caregivers with peace of mind and the confidence to support others, and enabling patients to access whole-person, trusted, empathetic care when and where they want it. PocketRN is the glue that holds together fragmented experiences in care so that partners, clinicians, patients, and families get back more of what they need: quality time.

For more information, visit www.pocketrn.com or engage with PocketRN on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.