the study outcomes of an innovative program
which promotes the wellbeing of people with
advanced dementia. The study objectives are
to improve the provision of palliative care; the
knowledge and skill of staff; and to enhance
the communication for people with advanced
dementia through the Namaste Care program
in residential aged care facilities.
implemented:
implementation of the Namaste Care program.
A Train the Trainer package and a DVD on
how to implement meaningful activities in the
Program were developed.
three sites.
with family members or carers, and health
professionals to evaluate the Program.
the data for concepts and themes related to
the research inquiry. There were six themes,
a dedicated person, a designated place; there
is a job to do; the loving touch; calm, cool
and collected; sights, sounds, smells; and
palliative care approach is essential, if the
needs of the person dying and their families
are to be met to improve their wellbeing and
quality of life.
reorientated from task and disease focus to
person centred care. Levels of ownership
and commitment are needed to ensure
sustainability of the Namaste Care Program.
Christopher Magee
Centre for Health Initiatives, University of
Wollongong
improve support for people with dementia
and their family caregivers is a complex
task. In dementia care, there is a paramount
need for frameworks and guidance to assist
practitioners in this undertaking. In recognition
of this, this paper examines the utility of
a consumer centred (social marketing)
framework to address the underutilisation
of residential respite care services among
this vulnerable group. The paper synthesises
results from the academic and grey literature,
utilising the social marketing framework to
highlight the need for strategies which can
integrate a response to the informational,
attitudinal and service development needs of
caregivers who currently do not access RRC
services across the care continuum.