Transforming Dementia Care: A Place At Home and PocketRN Join Forces

In a significant advancement for home care services, A Place At Home, a franchise dedicated to senior support, has partnered with PocketRN to revolutionize how dementia care is delivered. This collaboration is not just a business agreement; it’s a vital initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for both patients and their families.

A New Era in Dementia Care

A Place At Home has long been committed to providing essential support for seniors. This partnership with PocketRN aligns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) GUIDE Model, a national initiative that focuses on enhancing the care for individuals affected by dementia. The new program will enable nearly all A Place At Home’s franchise owners to deliver specialized in-home respite care services to families enrolled in the GUIDE program, which supports caregivers and patients alike.

Dustin Distefano, co-founder and CEO of A Place At Home, shared his enthusiasm: "Dementia deeply affects the entire family, not just the individual diagnosed. Through the CMS GUIDE Model, we now have a mechanism to deliver meaningful support directly within the home. This partnership facilitates professionally trained caregivers to provide respite and guidance to families who often feel overwhelmed and under-resourced."

Comprehensive Support for Families

With this collaboration, eligible dementia patients and their caregivers can access services that are not only covered by Medicare but also offer up to 72 hours of respite care annually. These services come alongside 24/7 virtual nursing support from PocketRN, which is critical for families facing the daily challenges of managing dementia.

Jennifer Axelrod, National Accounts and Growth Strategist at A Place At Home, noted the challenges families face: "Caregiving for a loved one, especially someone with dementia, can be physically and emotionally exhausting. This partnership provides a lifeline to families by combining Medicare-covered respite services with round-the-clock access to trained nurses, allowing caregivers a much-needed break and peace of mind."

The program specifically targets one of the most pressing issues in caregiving: burnout. According to an AARP study, a remarkable 84% of family caregivers report that their roles significantly increase their daily stress levels. By addressing this concern, the partnership fosters a healthier environment for both caregivers and patients.

Streamlined Process for Better Care

The operational framework of this initiative involves local A Place At Home franchises referring clients suspected of having dementia and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to PocketRN. PocketRN will then conduct comprehensive assessments in line with CMS requirements. Once reviewed and approved, franchise teams will perform home safety evaluations to ensure the environment is conducive to the patient’s needs, followed by the initiation of care.

This collaboration also enhances the operational capabilities of A Place At Home franchise owners, providing them with extensive training, bi-weekly webinars, and essential resources. After-hours nursing calls will go directly to PocketRN, alleviating administrative burdens while enhancing the quality of patient care.

Looking to the Future

A Place At Home's partnership with PocketRN exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to home care, particularly for those living with dementia. Axelrod emphasized their commitment to building partnerships that deepen their impact. "We are excited to expand our service offerings and empower franchisees to deliver an even higher level of compassionate care to families in need."

As this innovative program rolls out, more families will benefit from accessible, high-quality dementia care that not only addresses the needs of patients but significantly supports their caregivers. This endeavor represents a holistic approach to health care, reinforcing the idea that caring for the elderly should involve comprehensive support for all members of the family.

For more information on A Place At Home and details about their new services, as well as franchise opportunities, interested parties can visit www.aplaceathome.com.

In conclusion, the combination of a strong community initiative and innovative partnership positions A Place At Home and PocketRN at the forefront of dementia care solutions, offering hope and support to countless families nationwide.