Namaste Care Room at The Alzheimer’s Show

Find out more about Namaste Care at The Alzheimer’s Show this year.

We are delighted that Ebury Court Care Home will be hosting a purpose built room which will showcase how this sensory care programme helps those with end stage dementia.

The Namaste Care programme was developed from the Hindu term ‘Namaste’, meaning ‘to honour the spirit within’. The programme encourages residents to engage through sensory activities, combining music, therapeutic touch, food, colour and scents.

The Namaste Care programme was originally developed in the United States by Professor Joyce Simard (social worker). It was devised for use in care homes for residents suffering from severe dementia who no longer have consistently meaningful verbal communication and who also need a considerable degree of support to promote any activities of daily living. In December 2013 Ebury Court opened a Namaste Care room and was one of the first homes to offer Namaste for residents with end stage dementia.

The Namaste Care Programme is an intensive sensory stimulation programme for those who have end stage dementia and is delivered on a daily basis. The programme is designed to improve the quality of life, to reduce or eradicate pain, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the use of anti psychotic medication.

Audit has consistently shown a definite improvement in the quality of life for all attendees. Pain and medication have also been reduced and there have been no UTIs.

Since commencing Namaste Care, family and friends have reported that their loved ones seem happier and calmer as a result. One resident, who was diagnosed with dementia nine years ago and needs full time one to one care, was able to speak her daughter’s name for the first time in nine months. Her daughter has seen an amazing difference in her 87 year old mother and said:

“The programme has lit a candle within Mum and has given all the family an enormous lift. We now feel that Mum is back with us and although at this stage of her life there will be no miracles, the current situation for her and us is so much better and makes what used to be a sad visit a very rewarding one.”

Specialists from Ebury Court will be on hand to show how the care is provided and to answer questions.