What is Namaste Care?
Namaste is an Indian greeting that translates to “honor the spirit within.” The Namaste Care program, developed by Joyce Simard in the USA, aims to provide comfort and joy to individuals with advanced dementia through meaningful engagement and sensory activities, particularly through touch and movement.
BCOP are introducing this care into their nursing homes, starting with Robert Harvey House.
The relaxed environment of Namaste care can calm people living with advanced dementia, reducing feelings of agitation or distress. In some cases, it even lessens the need for medication.
Understanding advanced dementia
Individuals with advanced dementia often struggle to communicate and interact, leading to social isolation and long periods spent alone in care homes. Traditional group activities may no longer resonate with them, making it challenging for staff to engage these residents meaningfully. Namaste aims to improve the quality of life for these residents.
The Namaste care approach
Namaste Care is rooted in best practices for dementia and end-of-life care. While the core components—such as sensory stimulation, companionship, and personalised engagement—are not new, this program uniquely integrates them into a cohesive care model. Namaste care sessions are held seven days a week, lasting two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, and are facilitated by existing care home staff without the need for expensive equipment. This structured approach effectively fills the “empty time” that residents may experience outside of personal care or mealtimes and transforms the time into joyful and pleasurable activity.
What are the goals of Namaste care?
- Enhancing quality of life: the primary aim is to improve the overall well-being of residents with advanced dementia.
- Sensory experiences: activities focus on enjoyable sensory engagement through music, massage, colours, tastes, and scents.
- Comfort and dignity: recognising dementia as a terminal illness, the program prioritises comfort and pleasure, ultimately aiming for a peaceful and dignified end-of-life experience within the care home.
- Team involvement: successful implementation relies on the commitment of every team member, along with family and friends.
Who is involved in Namaste care?
We have new “Namaste Champions,” consisting of dedicated carers who oversee daily sessions. At Robert Harvey House, this will include Manager Anthea Reid and Activities Coordinator Charlotte. Other staff members and visiting professionals will all understand and support the Namaste Care program.
Families will be consulted and informed about the program and encouraged to participate actively in their loved ones’ care.
Family meetings to prepare for Namaste care
Before starting the program, our manager will arrange meetings with residents’ families. This is an opportunity to explain the changes in care and learn about each resident’s life story, helping staff tailor activities to trigger pleasant memories. If applicable, any individual with a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health will be involved.
What happens in a Namaste session?
During Namaste sessions, residents are welcomed personally and given a tranquil environment to explore various sensory activities. The sessions are structured yet relaxed, featuring:
- Favourite food treats and drinks
- Pampering experiences akin to a luxury spa
- Engaging touch activities
- Fun interactions, such as playing with bubbles or balloons, singing, and dancing
- Rummage boxes containing materials with different textures
- Calming music
- Simple instruments
- Gentle movement
- Reading aloud
- Memory boxes
- Puppets, dolls, or toy animals, tailored to each resident’s needs and preferences
Namaste Care creates a nurturing atmosphere where individuals with advanced dementia can feel valued and engaged, enhancing their quality of life in meaningful ways.
Further information
The University of Worcester Association for Dementia Studies champions this program of care in the UK. Watch this video to see how it has been successfully implemented in care homes. Seeing is Believing – Association for Dementia Studies Namaste .
Read more about their Namaste project here
