Namaste Care Program

Our Namaste Care programme provides compassionate, sensory-based activities for patients with dementia, using touch therapy, music, aromatherapy, and meaningful engagement to improve quality of life and reduce challenging behaviours.

The word "Namaste" means "honouring the spirit within," reflecting our approach of treating each person with dignity and compassion. Originally developed in the United States in 2003, Namaste Care was still a novel programme in Asia when we pioneered its implementation in Singapore. Tan Tock Seng Hospital became the first hospital in Singapore to establish this programme in 2015, adapting and modifying it to suit our local culture.

Our locally adapted version creates a more person-centred and structured approach to caring for people with dementia, incorporating the core principles of creating a peaceful environment and providing activities with an unhurried, loving approach.

Who benefits from Namaste Care?

We initially provided Namaste Care to all patients in our dementia ward, regardless of their stage of dementia - patients with mild, moderate, or advanced dementia. The program has now expanded for patients experiencing challenging behaviours such as agitation, confusion, or difficulty with daily care.

What does Namaste Care involve?

Our programme uses gentle, sensory-based activities that can be enjoyed by patients at any stage of dementia. These include gentle touch therapy and massage to promote relaxation and comfort, aromatherapy using pleasant scents to create a calming environment, soothing music and reminiscence activities that may trigger positive memories, and meaningful engagement through simple activities and human connection.

Namaste Care is delivered by specially trained doctors, nurses, therapists, and volunteers who understand the unique needs of patients with dementia. All team members receive training in mindfulness techniques and person-centred care approaches.

The MasterMind Program

MasterMind is a structured group therapy program designed by a collaborative team of healthcare professionals to empower patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment and their caregivers with the skills to combat cognitive and physical frailty via multi-domain interventions.

This program is suitable for older adults who are experiencing mild memory concerns or wanting to prevent cognitive decline while staying physically active.

The MasterMind program consists of three main components:

• Pre-assessment session to set personal goals and complete questionnaires

• Six group therapy sessions, each lasting three hours with breaks. These sessions combine cognitive training exercises, physical activities, and therapeutic interventions designed to meet your individual goals. The final session serves as a booster to reinforce what you've learned

• Post-assessment session to review your progress, reassess your goals, and receive feedback from our professional team on how you've benefited from the program

Participants develop valuable memory strategies and cognitive skills for daily use, improve physical health and mobility through regular exercise routines, learn mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety and enhance emotional wellbeing, build connections and create a supportive network with fellow participants, experience increased self-confidence through acquiring new skills, and gain tools for long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional health.

Inpatient Ortho-Geriatrics Service

Our Ortho-Geriatric Service provides specialised care for older adults with fractures, combining orthopaedic surgery with geriatric medicine to optimise recovery, prevent complications, and improve functional outcomes through comprehensive multidisciplinary care.

Many elderly patients with fractures are frail and have complex medical conditions that require specialised attention alongside their surgical treatment. These injuries often occur from minor falls due to weakened bones and can significantly impact an older person's independence and quality of life.

Our multidisciplinary team includes geriatricians, orthopaedic surgeons, hip care managers, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and medical social workers. We provide medical assessment before surgery to reduce complications, pain management throughout your stay, delirium prevention and management, nutrition support and falls prevention education, osteoporosis assessment and treatment, and comprehensive discharge planning and rehabilitation coordination.

We provide structured follow-up at one week, six weeks, six months, and twelve months after discharge, including teleconsultations with our hip care managers, specialised fracture clinics, referrals to day rehabilitation centres when appropriate, and ongoing osteoporosis and falls prevention management.

Our integrated approach ensures that your medical conditions are optimally managed while you recover from your fracture, helping you regain independence and prevent future injuries.

Geriatric Surgical Service (GSS)

Our Geriatric Surgical Service (GSS) provides specialised care for older adults undergoing surgery, focusing on preventing complications, optimising recovery, and reducing hospital stays through comprehensive pre- and post-operative geriatric assessment and management.

Surgery can be more challenging for older adults due to multiple health conditions and reduced physical reserves. Our GSS works alongside surgical teams to provide specialised care that helps older patients recover better and faster from operations.

Who do we help?

We care for patients aged 65 and above who are scheduled for surgery and have conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, previous stroke, kidney problems, dementia, history of confusion, falls, or dizziness. These patients benefit from our specialised approach to surgical care.

Our service includes:

Before surgery

Our geriatric team meets with patients 2-3 days before their operation to assess their overall health and identify potential risks. We screen for factors that could cause confusion after surgery, check for depression or anxiety, assess nutrition status, and begin planning for discharge home. We also optimise medications and treat any conditions that could affect recovery.

After surgery

Our team visits patients daily after their operation to monitor recovery, manage medications, provide appropriate pain relief, and address any complications early. We encourage early mobility and work with physiotherapists to help patients regain strength. Our advanced practice nurse coordinates with families and arranges appropriate care services for when patients return home.