Joyce Simard

University of Western Sydney, Australia

Title: Namaste Care: Helps People with Advanced Dementia Live Not Just Exist

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Biography

Joyce Simard MSW is an Adjunct Associate Professor School of Nursing, University of Western Sydney Australia.  She is a private geriatric consultant residing in Florida (USA).   She has been involved in long-term care for over 40 years.

Professor Simard has written numerous articles and chapters in healthcare books “The Magic Tape Recorder”, and “The End-of-Life Namaste Care Program for People with Dementia” now in its third edition.  She has been involved with grants studying the outcomes of Namaste Care internationally.  with the School of Nursing, University of Western Sydney, Australia, St. Christopher’s hospice (UK), the University of Worcester (UK) and Lancaster University (UK).  Ms. Simard is a popular speaker for organizations all over the world. 

Abstract

Namaste Care is a small group program for residents in a nursing home or assisted living who can no longer participate in traditional activities.  Often residents were kept clean, fed, changed and placed in front of a television.  Residents were exisitng not living.  The Namaste Care program provides qulaity of life for residents especially those with advanced dementia. 

Namaste care can be offered as a small group program or can be brought to wherever the person is living.  Two principles of The room or space where Namaste Care is offered as a small group is as free from distractions as posssible.  Residents are taken there after breakfast for the morning session.  They are greeted inidvidually and assessed for pain.  A soft blanket is tucked around them and they are offered a beverage.  Morning activities include gentle washing of the face and moisturizing of the face, hands, arms and legs.  Their hair may be combed or scalps massaged.  All of these activities are offered with a slow loving touch approach with the carer softly talking to them.  They leave the room for lunch and return for the afternoon activities that may include bringing seasonal items to them, feet soaking, nail care and fun activities such as blowing bubbles.   Beverages are offered on a continous basis for both the morning and afternoon sessions.  Namaste Care can be brought to the persons bedside and offered by trained staff or volunteers.  Supplies are not expensive and no additional staff has to be hired.