What is Namaste?

“Namaste,” is a Hindu word that means to honor and respect the spirit within. The Namaste Program is based on a concept designed by Joyce Simard, MSW. Simply put, Namaste is the way we have always treated all people who enter Hale Nani. The Hale Nani Namaste Program opened November 2009 and is specific to residents demonstrating symptoms of confusion, pain, anxiety or difficulty communicating. Much of the program is carried out in the Namaste Spa which is a beautiful, calm environment where residents receive special treatment to ensure that no matter what their mental and physical abilities, they experience a relaxing human interaction and feel a sense of well being.

Who Visits the Namaste Spa?

The Namaste Program is designed to enhance the quality of life for residents unable to tolerate the other activities offered at Hale Nani. Family members are encouraged to attend trainings in the Spa so they are able to perform gentle human contact using a myriad of holistic interventions employed by treatment staff that have demonstrated successful outcomes.

What are the basic components of the Namaste experience?

Residents attending the Namaste Spa are greeted by therapeutic music and relaxing scents. The Spa is decorated to create a quiet haven for relaxation. Residents are met with a smile and a gentle touch from one of the Spa caregivers. They are seated and covered with a warm blanket to keep them comfortable during their time in this room, while they enjoy hand and foot massages with lotion and essential oils, have light refreshments followed by warm hand towels, and are pampered and groomed. They may also watch soothing videos of nature, have an individual DVD player to suit their taste, touch different fabrics and textures, and do range of motion exercises. Before leaving the spa, each resident will again receive a gentle touch and expression of gratitude and friendship to finish the experience with a feeling of peace and serenity.

Expected Outcomes

The effects of the Hale Nani Namaste Program have been noticeable and positive. Staff and families have observed marked improvement in the following areas:
• Decreased pain and discomfort
• Increased eagerness to participate in activities and have social interaction
• Decreased agitation and aggressive behaviors from Residents with dementia
• Participants exhibited more outgoing demeanors
• Reduction of medication

Hale Nani’s Unique Program

The Hale Nani Namaste Program is the first complete Namaste Program in Hawaii. While others have developed sensory stimulation activities, the Staff of Hale Nani have embraced the entire concept and it is interwoven in every interaction occurring on the campus. Each Resident is screened by a registered occupational therapist to see if modalities of Accelerated Care Plus might prove beneficial with pain levels. All participating residents are observed to determine tolerance to the activities they participate in and their Care Plans are consistently revised to assure maximum benefit and highest outcomes.