Haircuts are a routine personal care task that many of us take for granted. Some of us may even enjoy a visit to the hair salon. But for those with dementia, what was once part of the grooming care routine may become a challenge. In this blog post from When Dementia Knocks, Elaine M. Eshbaugh, PhD explains why a visit to the barber shop or salon can be uncomfortable for those with dementia.
She also offers tips for family caregivers on how to make a haircut a less stressful event for all involved.
I love the idea mentioned in the blog of offering dementia training to barber shops and salons. I hope such training expands because with just a bit of awareness, we can all better accommodate those with dementia in our daily routine.
Image created by Google Gemini.
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00069]](https://memoriesproject.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/reluctant-caregiver-cover.jpg)
The Memories Project 
Though my mom’s mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be, she doesn’t have dementia, but physically she’s in bad shape. She doesn’t drive and doesn’t get out of her Assisted Living very often. It’s difficult for her to do any kind of exertion as simple as walking to the dining hall. It’s the opposite for her when going to the salon. She loves it cause she’s been going there for 40 years. It gets her out and she gets to gossip with old friends.
Thanks for sharing. My mother was the same way, she loved to socialize at the salon. In fact, her last outing before she died was to the hair salon. For whatever reason, the stylist took a photo of her that day and I’m grateful she did, because it’s one of the last images I have of her.
What a special thing to have that photo from the salon. I wonder if it’s a different generation that enjoyed salon visits. My grandma used to, also. I just go cause it has to be done. Although, perhaps society was much friendlier with each other back then. Now it’s all so polarized.
It does mostly seem to be generational/cultural though I have had the same hair stylist for I guess about 20 years. I’ve watched her child grow up and go to college. So maybe Mom rubbed off on me a bit. 🙂