Kootenai Accountable Care Partners with Ceresti Health on Dementia Caregiver Program

Kootenai Accountable Care (KAC), part of the Kootenai Care Network in Coeur d’Alene, announced a partnership with Ceresti Health to expand a technology-enabled dementia caregiver support program for Medicare patients. The move aims to connect unpaid family caregivers with personalized training, education and care navigator coaching, potentially easing caregiver strain and keeping people living with dementia at home longer.

Ceresti, a company selected to participate in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, will provide the program to KAC patients. Ceresti notes the GUIDE Model is an eight-year, voluntary nationwide program that launched as a pilot on July 1, 2024 and expanded nationwide on July 1, 2025. The GUIDE Model focuses on care coordination, caregiver education and respite services to improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary hospital use.

The Ceresti program centers on activating caregivers as essential members of the care team. Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Ceresti Health, said, "We are thrilled to partner with KAC to serve its Medicare patients who are living with dementia. Kootenai providers are leaders in patient care. Enrolling patients living with dementia into our proven technology-enabled program will give them access to personalized health education, resources and care navigator coaching," and added, "Our model is unique in how it supports and activates the caregiver to become an essential member in the patient’s care team."

Ceresti supplies an iPad-like tablet pre-loaded with its caregiver app, plus accessories such as a power cord, tablet stand, educational binder and stylus. The company says Internet access is included, that no WiFi is needed, and that the device is configured to be usable only for the Ceresti program. Engagement modules include reminiscence and music therapy; Ceresti links increased engagement with positive emotions and improved ability to perform activities of daily living.

The partnership follows reports that Kootenai providers learned about Ceresti through patient advocacy. As Casey Criss wrote on LinkedIn, "Family caregivers of people living with dementia told Kootenai Health Accountable Care Organization doctors all about Ceresti's tech-enabled caregiver support and education program. They told them about how Ceresti's education and training improves their caregiving experience. About how Ceresti's caregiver coaches supports their emotional needs and connects them to vital resources. They told them about how much better they became at detecting subtle changes in medical conditions - and acting on them early and effectively. Kootenai did more than listen. They partnered with Ceresti to offer our evidence-based program to more of their patients living with dementia."

Ceresti and industry coverage cite outcome claims that will interest local health planners and payers. Ceresti materials state that "independently validated clinical studies found that Ceresti reduced avoidable hospitalizations by more than 40%," and industry reporting has described savings of roughly $6,000 per patient per year. Those results, if reproduced locally, could relieve pressure on hospitals and emergency services and reduce costs for Medicare programs.

For Kootenai County residents, the program promises more direct support for unpaid caregivers who often absorb the bulk of day-to-day care. Details on enrollment size, rollout timeline and contract terms with KAC were not included in the announcement. Local Medicare beneficiaries and family caregivers should watch for outreach from Kootenai Accountable Care about eligibility and how to enroll; the partnership signals a policy shift toward caregiver-centered interventions that aim to improve outcomes and equity in dementia care.