About Namaste Care
What is Namaste Care?
Namaste Care was developed in 2003 by Joyce Simard in response to a harmful and persistent belief:
"There is nothing more we can do."
Namaste Care challenges that belief.
It is an evidence-informed model of care designed specifically for people living with advanced dementia.
As dementia progresses, people may lose the ability to communicate verbally, participate in activities, or express their needs clearly. Yet their need for comfort, connection, meaning and belonging remains.
Namaste Care focuses on what remains, rather than what has been lost.
Through meaningful connection, sensory engagement, comfort-focused care and dedicated time, Namaste Care supports people living with advanced dementia to experience:
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Comfort and wellbeing
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Connection and communication
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Meaning and purpose
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Dignity at the end of life
More Than an Activity
Namaste Care is not an activity programme.
It is a model of care that helps teams intentionally meet the emotional, sensory and relational needs of people living with advanced dementia.
The approach supports staff to move beyond task-focused care and create opportunities for meaningful moments throughout the day.
Not More Time. Different Time.
Namaste Care is not about finding more time.
It is about using the time we already have differently.
By slowing down where possible and being fully present, everyday care interactions become opportunities for comfort, connection and meaningful engagement.
The goal is not to do more. The goal is to make the moments we already have matter more.
The Person Is Still There
Behind the dementia is a person who continues to need comfort, connection, purpose and love.
Namaste Care helps us recognise the person, not the condition, and support them to live with comfort, connection, dignity and meaning until the end of life.
About NEAR
Namaste Care Education and Resources (NEAR) is a dedicated charity and learning community supporting the delivery, sustainability and ongoing development of Namaste Care for people living with advanced dementia.
Founded by experienced dementia and palliative care specialists, NEAR exists to ensure that people living with advanced dementia continue to experience comfort, connection, dignity and meaning, regardless of where they receive care.
We support care homes, healthcare professionals, family caregivers and organisations through:
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Education and training
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Implementation support and coaching
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Practical tools and resources
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Communities of practice
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Ongoing learning and professional development
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At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief:
The person is still there.
Behind the dementia is a person who continues to need comfort, connection, purpose and love.
We believe quality of life matters right to the end of life, and that compassionate, relationship-centred care should not be the exception, but the expectation for every person living with advanced dementia.