The End-of-Life Namaste Care Program for People with Dementia

by Joyce Simard

Overview

Caring for people with advanced dementia presents unique challenges that the Namaste Care™ program addresses using simple, holistic practices. Through comforting and meaningful sensory-based experiences, this enlightened approach to care honors the enduring spirit of each person. It brings satisfaction both to people experiencing it and to those who care for them. Evocative scents, soothing music, and gentle massage are just part of this innovative program, which can be implemented with minimal resources and training and meets regulatory guidelines for person-centered activity programming for all stages of dementia. Step-by-step advice for staffing, budgeting, operating, and marketing the program is provided along with detailed information for creating a suitable setting for running a Namaste Care program. Recommended lists of nursing and activity supplies, suggested activities, and other valuable resources are also included.

Proven effective in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living memory care communities, and hospice organizations, this evidence-based approach has been implemented and validated around the world. Positive outcomes include improved resident comfort, engagement, and quality of life; increased family involvement; and strengthened staff morale. And the concepts of Namaste Care are flexible enough to be used with groups of residents or one-on-one with individuals. Embracing a loving-touch approach and focusing on the particular end-of-life needs of people with dementia, this program enables the care team to bring grace and dignity to those completing their dementia journey.

Completely revised Third Edition
This award-winning book includes full instructions for implementing a Namaste Care program plus new evidence and features:

• Detailed descriptions of Namaste Care groups and individuals
• Suggested adaptations for a variety of settings
• Additional stories about creative uses and efficacy of Namaste Care
• Increased scope of practice in the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Europe, and Singapore
• In-depth description of the physical setting and supplies needed
• Expanded discussion of death and dying
• Updated research and references

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781938870934
Publisher:	Health Professions Press
Publication date:	10/30/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	315
Sales rank:	883,044
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Joyce Simard, M.S.W., has worked in the long-term care industry for more than 40 years. Now retired, she continues to offer online educational presentations throughout the world. She is also involved in research projects investigating the effects of Namaste Care™ in Australia and the United Kingdom. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in sociology and social work from Ithaca College in New York and her master of social work degree from the University of Minnesota.

In addition to Namaste Care, Simard has developed other programs for people with memory loss. The Memory Enhancement Program (MEP) is for people experiencing memory loss beyond what is normal for their age and education. Residents in independent living and assisted living communities, as well as those who participate in adult day programs, benefit from this unique program. The Club is a program for residents in nursing facilities and assisted living communities who have moderate memory loss. Its implementation has resulted in a decrease in use of antipsychotic medications, and in resident falls as well as improved staff and resident satisfaction.

Simard is an internationally recognized speaker to healthcare professionals in the United States, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. Whether speaking to families of people with dementia or as a keynote or featured speaker at professional conferences, Simard is known for bringing humor and a light touch to serious subjects, teaching through stories of real experiences from her years in healthcare. She also has provided in-service training on a variety of subjects, including hospice, bereavement, comfort care, and activity programs for people with all stages of dementia. Simard is the author of a children’s book about aging and dementia, The Magic Tape Recorder, which was published in several languages.

Table of Contents

About the Author ix

Foreword Ladislav Volicer, M.D., Ph.D xi

Preface xii

Acknowledgments xix

1 The Beginning 1

2 What Is Namaste Care 23

3 The Namaste Care Team 39

4 The Namaste Care Setting 59

5 The Namaste Care Day 77

6 Implementing Namaste Care 121

7 Assisted Living 143

8 Quality of Life at the End of Life 161

9 Dying and Death 205

Appendixes

A Namaste Care Nursing Supplies 238

B Namaste Care Activity Supplies 242

C Namaste Care Resources 243

D Namaste Care Activities of Daily Living Checklist 245

E Dementia Bill of Rights 247

F Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PATNAD) Scale 248

References 252

Index 257

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Helen Martin, FNP (Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center)
Description: This book is a wonderful resource that presents an alternative for practitioners and caregivers caring for dementia patients. I had heard of the Namaste method and was glad to see a book about it. The method is very common sense and easy to implement in almost any setting. I have shared the book with one of my long term care facilities which is looking at the model to implement in its Alzheimer's disease (AD) unit and to use in employee education.
Purpose: The purpose of implementing the Namaste care program is to provide better care to our AD patients. It is important to stress, as the author does, that we not isolate our AD patients, but instead enhance the environment around them to make their lives more meaningful. This affects not just the patients, but families and caregivers as well. The objective is to explain this method of care.
Audience: This book was written for and can be used by anyone in any setting.
Features: The explanation of Namaste (honoring the spirit within) captures what this program is all about. Cost is always a factor in any setting and this book emphasizes that care can be improved at little to no cost. Creative planning and people to implement it is all that it takes. The quality of life of this population has suffered for years and alternatives for care are long overdue.
Assessment: This book provides a hands-on approach to care and its simple suggestions are priceless. The vignettes are helpful, as are the added resources in the appendix.

Doody's Review Service

". . . a convincing book that is practice-oriented, yet warm and engaging."

Reviews - Senior Consultant

"[The author] is committed and dedicated to those who can not speak for themselves … she presents an approach that every health care person should and will adopt if he or she reads this book.… this publication should be a MUST read and do by every health care facility."

Reviews