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Namaste Care™: A Person-Centered Care Approach for Alzheimer’s and Advanced Dementia

2016; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 40; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/0193945916679631

1552-8456

Paula McNiel, Judith Westphal,

Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

New methods of care are required to meet the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. The Namaste Care™ program provides a person-centered approach through meaningful activities and loving touch. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of residents, staff, and family involved in the Namaste Care™ program at a long-term care facility in the United States. A descriptive approach was used to interview 14 staff members. The findings revealed six themes: peaceful sanctuary, relating their way, transforming experiences, connections and community, positive moments, and awakened to the possibilities. Results suggest that Namaste Care™ may be useful for individuals no longer able to participate in traditional long-term care setting activities. Further studies are indicated to confirm the impact on hospital readmissions, therapy enhancement, and medication use in relationship to Namaste Care™ program participation.