A program offering personalized service coordination to help older adults and their families navigate healthcare and aging services is expanding through a partnership with a senior living company and a supportive services provider. 

NaviGuide, launched in 2022 by Ohio-based United Church Homes, is partnering with RiverWoods continuing care retirement communities in New Hampshire and ElderHelp, a San Diego-based supportive services provider. 

“NaviGuide represents our commitment to redefining aging with innovative, compassionate solutions,” United Church Homes President and CEO Ken Young said in a statement. “These new partnerships underscore our dedication to supporting older adults nationwide, and I am thrilled to see this program expand to meet the diverse needs of communities across New Hampshire and California.”

Since 2022, NaviGuide has helped more than 1,000 older adults and their families navigate healthcare and aging services. The program is designed to “reduce stress, improve access and enhance quality of life” for older adults aging at home or in community settings, including assisted living.

NaviGuide is a monthly $250 subscription program, connecting families with a service coordinator who can assess, guide and support members of a family as they navigate aging services for their loved one, UCH Chief Growth Officer Terry Spitznagel told McKnight’s Senior Living. Partners pay the NaviGuide coordinator’s salary and benefits, as well as a monthly fee to UCH for support services, including orientation, training through the NaviGuide Training Academy, marketing, sales strategies, policies, procedures, the documentation platform, and use of the name and branding. 

RiverWoods CEO Justine Vogel called NaviGuide a “natural extension of our services.” ElderHelp, which is in the implementation phase with plans to “go live” Aug. 1, said that NaviGuide “stood out as a practical, compassionate solution” for its clients and families. ElderHelp CEO Deborah Martin said that NaviGuide gives the company new tools and support to bring a new level of care navigation to its clients. 

“We knew the best way to expand the program was to collaborate with mission-driven partners who are already embedded in their communities and are committed to reimagining how older adults receive support,” Spitznagel said.  

UCH is exploring additional partnerships in Illinois and Florida and remains open to conversations with other like-minded nonprofit organizations. Spitznagel said that nonprofit organizations see NaviGuide as a way to expand their mission to local individuals who may not live in senior living communities.