Namaste Canada

Ever wondered what Namaste would look like in Canada?

We see Namaste Care as uniquely important in offering life enhancing activities to a segment of our resident population who previously had little in appropriate programming. Anecdotally and through data collection we have clear evidence that Namaste Care improves quality of life for participants.

Equally meaningful and especially through the pandemic taking Namaste Care to the bedside has ensured that end of life is peaceful, as pain free as possible and no one dies alone.

We at Saskatoon Convalescent Home managed to maintain the Silver Standard of Namaste Care through much of the pandemic. Changes were required such as smaller numbers of participants, eliminating common touch items and absence of volunteers. Staff concentrated on gentle touch activities, quiet music, attention to hydration as well a lot of time spent outdoors when possible. In early 2021 an outbreak did close the program for a period but overall, it has been a great benefit to residents to have Namaste Care continue in the face of so many other losses.

We are not aware of other Namaste Care Programs in Canada.

We are currently, with Dr. Joyce Simard’s assistance, working with our Board of Directors to explore the possibility of offering Namaste Care training out to other sites and communities in Canada.

Namaste Care Family Programme In Canada

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Namaste Canada In Action

Have a look through all the amazing pictures we have captured. If you do have any photos that you would like to share with us then please feel free to share with us at info@namastecareinternational.co.uk

Sheila Gordon

Sheila Gordon is a registered nurse with additional studies in gerontology. She has been working in the long term care sector since 1982. First as a unit nurse and then as director of care with multiple organizations, she found her true nursing passion in working with the elderly. Over time Sheila has seen the care of the elderly evolve into a specialty in its own right. While celebrating improvements in quality of life for those in care, it was evident to her the needs of everyone were still not being met. In 2016 Sheila embraced the opportunity to participate in and lead Namaste Care for end stage dementia residents at Saskatoon Convalescent Home in Saskatchewan, Canada.She is very excited to share and learn and grow through Namaste Care International.

Namaste Testimonials

Namaste Care is all about bringing joy and comfort in the lives of people with dementia. By using meaningful activities, we try to connect with the person with dementia. It is about the little moments where you feel that you were able to true connect with the person with dementia to motivate me to continue. For example seeing a smile on the face of the resident that is often non-responsive, hearing a resident speak a full sentence that before Namaste did not say more than one or two words, and seeing the woman that always wandered the corridors sitting in the Namaste room in a comfortable chair with a relaxed expression on her face. The beauty of Namaste Care lays in its simplicity, no expensive equipment or elaborate training is necessary, just loving care and personal attention. It helps family caregivers to meaningfully connect to their loved one. It is a great tool to bring person-centred palliative care to life and to involve family caregivers in a positive way with the care for their loved one.
By Florina Grace - Greece
We are closer to our clients” said one caregiver to me after few months of Namaste care programme in their care home. And that’s the point. Be close to our clients, be able to perceive their individual needs and be able to slowdown in daily routine. Namaste care is about the most common things which we forget to use. It’s about kindness, touch, senses and people. Namaste care is about relationships between clients and caregivers. What you give, you get. Namaste care International is the most inspiring online meeting which you can imagine. How often do you have a chance to speak with people all around the world? Namaste care International is about support, inspiration and common goal which is dignity and quality as a basic principle of care.
Simona Bagarova - Czech Republic
Namaste Care is all about bringing joy and comfort in the lives of people with dementia. By using meaningful activities, we try to connect with the person with dementia. It is about the little moments where you feel that you were able to true connect with the person with dementia to motivate me to continue. For example seeing a smile on the face of the resident that is often non-responsive, hearing a resident speak a full sentence that before Namaste did not say more than one or two words, and seeing the woman that always wandered the corridors sitting in the Namaste room in a comfortable chair with a relaxed expression on her face. The beauty of Namaste Care lays in its simplicity, no expensive equipment or elaborate training is necessary, just loving care and personal attention. It helps family caregivers to meaningfully connect to their loved one. It is a great tool to bring person-centred palliative care to life and to involve family caregivers in a positive way with the care for their loved one.
Hanneke Smaling - Netherlands

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