Namaste Care is a pioneering new project to be delivered by St Cuthbert’s Hospice that aims to honour people who can no longer tell us who they are, who they were or care for themselves without assistance. 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. The unique approach to care incorporates techniques that help bring pleasure to people with advanced dementia.
The service is seeking volunteers to be trained in the variety of methods of engagement, which include gentle hand massage, encouraging gentle movement and using textures and sounds to stimulate the senses. Volunteers will be carefully matched with a person with dementia and will visit them at home to deliver Namaste Care. The service is available to people living in Durham and Chester-le-Street.
Nicola Kendall, Namaste Lead at St Cuthbert’s Hospice said: “Namaste is a Hindu term meaning ‘to honour the spirit within’. This new service has been developed to meet the needs of people with advanced dementia for human contact, sensory stimulation and meaningful activity. Namaste Care will open up new ways for families to remain connected with each other.”
“Volunteers are fully trained in all aspects of Namaste Care which they then deliver within the community to enable carers to also learn and deliver these activities independently at home. It’s an opportunity for volunteers to learn new skills and make a real difference to people living with advanced dementia and their families.”
Further information about Namaste can also be found at HERE or by contacting Nicola Kendall on 0191 374 6189 or email nicola.kendall@stcuthbertshospice.com
Our next Namaste Care Training Day takes place on Friday 20th October 2017. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Jude Smith on 0191 374 6169 or email volunteer@stcuthbertshospice.com to register your interest. Click HERE to visit our volunteering page for information on this and other volunteering opportunities.
11/01/2017 updated 18/09/2017
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