Dementia Services
Dementia Care and Programs in Florida
Dementia is one of the most complex and emotionally demanding journeys a family can face. The questions come early and the challenges grow over time, and the healthcare system does not always have support ready for every stage.
Empath Health does.
Across our Florida network, we offer a connected ecosystem of dementia care and community programs built around the belief that support should begin before a crisis, extend beyond a clinical threshold, and reach every person who needs it. Our offerings span care coordination, free community education, caregiver training, and specialized adult day programming, available across our service area with an expanded center of resources in Ocala, Marion County.
Services and program availability vary by location. Contact your local Empath Health team to find what is available in your community.
Dementia Care Coordination and Clinical Services
Empath GUIDE: Dementia Care Coordination Across Florida
Empath GUIDE is Empath Health's CMS-recognized dementia care coordination program, available across our Florida service area. It is the foundation of our dementia care network, connecting individuals living with dementia and their families to personalized care plans, dedicated team support, and resources that keep them ahead of health challenges rather than responding after the fact.
Empath GUIDE helps reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, improves care adherence, and ensures that the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of dementia are addressed at every stage.
Who it serves: People living with dementia and their family caregivers, at any stage of diagnosis.
What Empath GUIDE provides:
- Personalized dementia care planning
- 24/7 access to a dedicated care team
- Resource coordination and referrals for families and caregivers
- Care management aligned with Medicare standards
- Support across the full progression of dementia
Empath Dementia Adult Day Center: Ocala, Florida
The Empath Dementia Adult Day Center, located on the Helen "Mimi" Walker Campus in Ocala, is the only dedicated dementia-specific adult day program within the Empath Health network. It provides a licensed, secure, structured environment where individuals living with dementia receive purposeful programming and attentive care, while their family caregivers gain reliable daily respite.
This is a licensed clinical care program distinct from the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center. It serves individuals who need ongoing supervised care in a specialized setting.
Dementia Care and Programs Rooted in Full Life Care
Empath Health invests in dementia care and community programs that go well beyond what is required of a healthcare organization, because our mission demands it. Full Life Care means we are present for the whole journey, not just the moments that meet a clinical threshold. It means we support families who are navigating a diagnosis before hospice is appropriate, caregivers who are exhausted and isolated, and communities that need better tools to recognize and respond to dementia with empathy.
The free community programs we offer are not required of us as a healthcare provider. We offer them because we are a non-profit organization invested in the communities we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia Care and Programs at Empath Health
Q What dementia services and programs does Empath Health offer?
Empath Health offers both clinical care services and free community programs. Clinical services include Empath GUIDE care coordination, available across our Florida network, and the Empath Dementia Adult Day Center in Ocala. Free community programs include the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, Memory Cafes, Virtual Dementia Tour experiences, first responder training, and caregiver workshops, all based at the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center in Ocala. Program and service availability vary by location.
Q What is Empath GUIDE?
Empath GUIDE is a CMS-recognized dementia care coordination program for people living with dementia and their families. It provides personalized care planning, 24/7 team access, and resource coordination to support quality of life and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. Empath GUIDE is available across the Empath Health Florida service area and may be covered by Medicare.
Q What is the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center?
The Empath Dementia Education and Care Center is a free, community-facing facility in Ocala, Florida, located on the Helen "Mimi" Walker Campus at Hospice of Marion County. It is home to the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program and offers Memory Cafes, Virtual Dementia Tour experiences, first responder training, caregiver workshops, and a community resource hub. It is open to the entire community at no cost.
Q What is the difference between the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center and the Empath Dementia Adult Day Center?
The Empath Dementia Education and Care Center is a free community education and training facility open to caregivers, first responders, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The Empath Dementia Adult Day Center is a licensed clinical care program for individuals living with dementia who need structured, supervised programming during the day. Both are located on the Helen "Mimi" Walker Campus in Ocala.
Q Are these programs really free?
Yes. The community programs offered through the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program and the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center are free and open to anyone in the community. They are funded through community philanthropy and legislative support, including a $750,000 Florida legislative appropriation and approximately $2 million raised through community donors.
Q Do I need to be an Empath Health patient to access these programs?
No. The Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program and all resources at the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center are open to anyone in the community, regardless of whether they receive hospice or other Empath Health services.
Q Where are Empath Health's dementia services and programs located?
Empath GUIDE care coordination is available across the Empath Health Florida network. The Empath Dementia Education and Care Center, the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, and the Empath Dementia Adult Day Center are all located in Ocala, Florida, on the Helen "Mimi" Walker Campus at Hospice of Marion County, 2893 SE 62nd Street, Ocala, FL 34480.
Q How can I support Empath Health's dementia programs?
Community support makes this work possible. There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering and participating in programs to donating to expand access across Florida.