The End-of-Life Namaste Care™ Program for People with Dementia

“Voted ‘Book of the Year, in 2013 by the American Journal of Nursing, Professor Joyce Simard’s 3rd edition of Namaste Care has been eagerly awaited. Full of the wisdom and practicalities of its original purpose for people isolated with advanced dementia, it has been expanded to include individual care at the bedside in the last days of life and at home. It remains a ‘must.’” - Jo Hockley, RN, Ph.D., OBE Senior Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh“It is with great pleasure and honor that I endorse Joyce Simard’s 3rd edition of The End-of-Life Namaste Care Program for People with Dementia. Namaste began at the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington, VT over 20 years ago, and was developed to meet the unique needs of people with advanced dementia who often fall through the cracks in long-term care. This sacred programs embraces the person’s humanity and ensures that the person living with advanced dementia or end of life issues fully lives until their last breath.” - Christina M. Cosgrove, LICSW, Behavioral Health Director, Vermont Veterans’ Home, and designated Namaste Care International Champion in the U.S.Award finalist for Medway Star Award in the Hospital Hero category (Kent, UK)

Joyce Simard, M.S.W. provides consulting services to skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities. She earned her bachelor of arts in sociology/social work at Ithaca College in New York and her master’s of social work at the University of Minnesota. In addition to Namaste Care, she developed The Memory Enhancement Program (MEP), a unique program for individuals experiencing memory loss above and beyond what is normal for their age and education. Residents in nursing centers, assisted living, and independent living communities who do not need a secured Alzheimer’s unit benefit from this program. An internationally recognized speaker, Joyce has given seminars, such as Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease, Finding Joy in the Caregiving Experience, and Staff Participation in Meaningful Activities, to families of people with dementia and health care professionals in the United States, Australia, and several cities in Asia. She also provides in-service training on a variety of subjects, including hospice, bereavement, comfort care, and activity programs for people with dementia. Joyce is known for bringing humor and a light touch to serious subjects. She teaches through stories of real experiences from her more than 20 years in health care.