Namaste Care and us:

Putting a Namaste Care Program in place in a care homeYvonne Manson – Dementia Nurse ConsultantDonna Sinclair- Deputy Manager

Yvonne Manson - Dementia Nurse Consultant

Donna Sinclair - Deputy Manager, Stormont Lodge Care Home

18 April 2018Yvonne Manson – Dementia Nurse ConsultantDonna Sinclair- Deputy Manager

• Approximately 80% of people living in our care homes have a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment.

• In 2016 along with residents, families and staff we developed our dementia strategy.

• Within that strategy was a commitment to introduce a Namaste Care program

• http://www.balhousiecare.co.uk/sites/default/files/documents/rc1052_dementia_strategy_brochure_lr.pdf

How our Namaste journey started

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• Namaste Care was developed by Joyce Simard in 2003.

• The word ‘Namaste’ means to honour the spirit within.

• It is a person-centred multi-sensory therapy which is

about the essence of the person not the dementia.

Namaste Care

Training• Dementia training – Promoting excellence in dementia to Skilled or

Enhanced Level

• Train the trainer Namaste Care

• Namaste Care training

• The Book – The End-of-Life Namaste Care program for people with Dementia – Joyce Simard

• Namaste Champions

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A slower pace Namaste Care is a multisensory program that increases the time staff spend connecting with people with advanced dementia.

• Touch - Face washing

Head, shoulder, hand, foot massage

• Hair combing or brushing

• Drinks, snacks

• Continuous observation

• As you get towards the end of the Namaste session increase the stimulation, change the music and prepare people for moving for lunch or dinner.

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• Soothing therapeutic colours

• Recliner seats or footstools

• Blankets

• Room sprays/diffusers

• Music

• Nature dvds

• Lamps

• Flowers

• Jugs and glasses

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Creating the Namaste Environment

Namaste Trolley • Most people choose to die at home and this is no different for care homes

which have seen an increase in people choosing to die in the care home than go to hospital

• At end of life a person may not be able nor wish to be within the Namaste room, this however does not stop you being able to carry out Namaste care within their own room

• Setting the room is something that family members may gain comfort from.

• Namaste champions can show families how to use the Namaste trolley items.

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• Room sprays

• Creams

• Lip balms

• Combs and brushes

• Wipes/Towels

• Music player

Namaste Trolley

• In order to keep the integrity of the Namaste Care program a set of standards were produced however these do offer flexibility.

• Namaste Care takes place in a special environment.

• It is offered 7 days a week and for at least 4 hours a day.

• Comfort is continuously assessed

• Psychotropic medications are assessed and reviewed

• Meaningful Activities are offered

• After-Death Care and Evaluation is given

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Namaste Care Standards

• Perceived cost

• Space

• Time

• Staff views

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Barriers to Namaste Care

• Living not just existing – Joyce Simard

• Connectedness

• Reduction in use of psychotropic medication

• Improved quality of life

• Increased nutrition and hydration

• Improved sleep patterns

• Job satisfaction

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Benefits to Namaste Care

Case Study OneCurrent Situation• Resident with advanced

Parkinson’s had very poor communication.

• When her husband visited he found it increasing difficult to make out what she was saying, meaningful conversation was no longer had and caused distress for both the resident and family.

• Namaste care was given prior to family visit’s.

Changes to Quality of Life• Great improvement in her

Parkinson’s symptoms, she was able to walk with one staff member and her speech was now coherent.

• Communication with her family and staff greatly improved. Visit’s from family were meaningful again.

• Her husband stated “I’ve got a bit of my wife back”.

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Case Study TwoCurrent Situation• Resident was admitted to the

home, previous stroke with right sided weakness and contracted hand.

• Unable to eat and drink independently, this caused her a lot of distress. She began refusing to eat and lost weight.

• Unable to stand without the use of the stand aid.

• Low mood and low self-esteem.

Changes to Quality of Life• After just one session (20minutes) you

could see evidence that her right hand was straightening out.

• After three sessions (20 minutes) she had full movement and use of her right hand.

• She can now eat and drink independently and has gained weight.

• She also no longer uses equipment to stand, she can push up of the chair with support from one staff member.

• Improved mood and wellbeing.

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Case Study Three

Current Situation• Advanced dementia

• High usage of antipsychotic medication

• Extreme level’s of stress and distress

• Fast pacing and continual walking not stopping to rest, poor sleep pattern

• Namaste care commenced daily

Changes to Quality of Life• Namaste care was not always delivered

within the Namaste room so Namaste care came to her

• After the first few sessions she began to accept this within the Namaste care room

• She continued to walk around but at a slower pace, and rested during Namaste care

• Sleep pattern improved having at least 5hrs per night as apposed to 3hrs broken sleep

• Antipsychotic medication were greatly reduced

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Case Study Four

Current Situation• The first 5 minutes proved

difficult due to high levels of distress and discomfort

• Thereafter distress and discomfort were visibly reducing

• When the just in case box arrived there was no longer a need for this as she was very calm and comfortable and had fallen asleep

Changes to Quality of Life• Advanced dementia approaching end of

life

• Distressed

• Uncomfortable

• She was resident in a residential home and the just in case box was delayed by 4hrs

• Namaste care took place in her own room, her favourite music playing softly in the background and hand massage, one on one connectedness

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