When CMS’s GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) officially launched on July 1, 2024, participating organizations began delivering comprehensive dementia care in a new way, focusing on coordination, person-centered care, and proactive caregiver support in the home. It marked a significant shift from fragmented care toward a structured, longitudinal model that aims to keep individuals with dementia at home longer, reduce caregiver burnout, and improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patients in the healthcare system.
Now, one year later, participants in both the established and new program tracks are facing a critical milestone:
CMS performance reporting begins for all GUIDE participants by July 1, 2025:
Regardless of track, this upcoming deadline represents a shift from implementation to accountability. It’s not just about whether services were launched, it’s about proving impact, quality, and compliance.
1. Training Must Be More Than a One-Time Task: While CMS doesn’t require formal retraining, it’s clear that a one-and-done approach doesn’t hold up in practice. Agencies that rushed to complete initial training may find themselves dealing with knowledge gaps, inconsistent application across teams, and challenges onboarding new staff into GUIDE-compliant roles.
We’ve seen firsthand that organizations with structured, role-specific training plans, that support the ability to revisit key concepts over time, are better positioned to maintain care consistency and prepare for audits.
2. Documentation Is Non-Negotiable: GUIDE is not a “trust us, we did it” program. CMS expects clear, consistent, and easily auditable documentation. Agencies must be able to demonstrate that all required staff were trained prior to delivering services, that the training aligned with CMS expectations, and that it supported key care delivery metrics.
3. Caregiver Education Can’t Be an Afterthought: One of the core pillars of the GUIDE Model is caregiver support, and that includes education. CMS expects organizations to provide dementia-specific education to unpaid caregivers to help them manage behavioral symptoms, understand disease progression, and navigate care at home.
Yet many organizations have focused almost exclusively on internal training, leaving caregiver education underdeveloped or unstructured. That’s a risk, both from a compliance standpoint and a care quality perspective.
As GUIDE moves into its second year, participating organizations need to shift from implementation mode to operational readiness. That means:
This isn’t just about passing an audit. It’s about delivering on the promise of GUIDE: high-quality, coordinated dementia care that truly supports families over time.
Showd.me simplifies GUIDE compliance by delivering a complete, CMS-aligned dementia training solution:
Whether you’re in year one or preparing to enter your performance year, Showd.me helps you go beyond basic training – supporting your workforce, your caregivers, and your bottom line.
Let’s talk. Going beyond the typical LMS, Showd.me actually manages the entire training process for you, from start to certificate. Contact us to learn how Showd.me can help your team stay ahead of CMS expectations and stay focused on care.