Namaste Care

Namaste Care is not a medical treatment but is a programme designed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia living at home with their carer. Namaste Care incorporates techniques that help bring pleasure to people with advance dementia.

Delivered by St Cuthbert’s Hospice and a group of trained volunteers, it provides meaningful engagement and sensory stimulation to those living with advanced dementia.

We offer practical, social and emotional support to people with advanced dementia, and also offer support to their families and carers, We’ll assess each persons individual needs and identity how they might benefit from this programme. Namaste Care seeks to engage people with advanced dementia through sensory input, comfort and pleasure.

Namaste Care combines compassionate care with music, therapeutic touch, colour, taste and scents. Families are supported to acknowledge the progression of dementia in the positive context of seeking to provide quality of life. No additional expensive equipment is required to implement the care programme.

Our volunteers are trained to offer a variety of ways to engage meaningfully, stimulating the senses. Some examples are:

• Playing favourite music
• Making a memory box
• Using life story
• Encouraging gentle movement
• Giving a hand massage
• Brushing hair
• Using textures & scents
• Art based activities
• Offering drinks / food

How to refer to The Namaste Care Service

We are currently welcoming referrals to the Namaste Care Service for patients with advanced dementia living at home with a family carer in the central Durham and Chester-le-Street AAP areas. Anyone can make a referral to the Namaste Care Service.

Volunteering for the Namaste Care Service is an opportunity to make a real difference to people living with advanced dementia and their families. You don’t need any previous experience, just good communication and listening skills, empathy and flexibility. You will receive full training to enable you to deliver meaningful engagement and help improve quality of life for people with dementia.

Our next Volunteer Namaste Care Training Day takes place (dates to be confirmed). This is also available to Family members and carers. To enquire about volunteering please contact our Volunteer Coordinator on 0191 374 6169 or volunteer@stcuthbertshospice.com to register your interest.