RESEARCHERS at the University of Worcester have been awarded nearly £390,000 to help improve the lives of people living with advanced dementia in care homes.
Exploring ‘Namaste Care’, researchers at the university’s Association for Dementia Studies, in partnership with Coventry University, will use the three year implementation grant by the Alzheimer’s Society, to develop the innovative programme in the UK.
Developed by Joyce Simard in a small care home in Vermont, USA, the programme combines different types of care, including physical, sensory and emotional approaches, for example, improving pain management, proper nutrition, using music and aromatherapy.
She said: “Residents were often isolated or placed in front of a television. Physical needs were met, but I felt they were simply existing not living. From that small beginning staff saw what I refer to as ‘small miracles’ happen on a daily basis.
“Non-verbal residents began to speak, anxiety disappeared, residents who slept most of the day, laughed when bubbles were blown around them, quality of life improved for the residents, their families and the staff who were dedicated to care for them.
“Namaste Care is in many countries and I am delighted and honoured to be a part of introducing this special way of caring to the UK.”
Professor Dawn Brooker, Director of the Association for Dementia Studies at Worcester, said: “This grant will enable us to investigate in depth how Namaste Care can work within UK care homes to improve the quality of life for people who are often the most difficult to care for.
“This provides a positive way forwards to help the increasing number of people and their families who live with advanced dementia.”
