(Radio Iowa) – A central Iowa hospital will be the first in the state to offer a new program aimed at helping people with dementia stay in their homes. Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines was selected to get federal funding for the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, or GUIDE. Dr. Yogesh Shah, medical director of Broadlawns’ Memory Clinic, says one main focus of GUIDE is to provide resources and respite for caregivers.

“We have patients and families, now, ‘I’m at the cliff. I can’t take it anymore. If I don’t get help, I’m going to quit my married life.’ It comes to that level,” Shah says. “So if we can provide that four hours of respite one time, that can resolve that problem.”

Shah says additional federal funding will allow the medical center to hire more care navigators to connect families with resources. “The GUIDE model not only supports patients, but also aims to reduce strain on caregivers,” he says, “offering them vital resources, a 24-7 support line, respite care, education.”

Broadlawns says it will launch the GUIDE program in July of next year. According to state data, more than 66,000 Iowans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.