Timeless Beauty & Barber

Listed under: Lifestyle Enhancements, South Hill

As people realize changes in their brain are developing, such as with memory loss or dementia, they will often experience some level of anxiety as they try to make sense of common tasks they are encouraged to do within their day-to-day life. These anxiety-inducing, daily demands include moments as simple as being reminded to wear a coat when it’s cold outside or asking them if they are hungry around a mealtime. Such feelings are enhanced further when they are helped with tasks like combing their hair or shaving their face. While well-intended and needed, these can be easily misunderstood and cause further distress. These sources of anxiety can be decreased, or even eliminated, when individuals facing these brain changes are offered comfortable and familiar alternatives, such as with an old-fashioned barber chair or beauty shop seat. This pleasant, but distant, memory can link the current need to wash their hair or shave their face with a feeling of comfort that has not yet left their memory, allowing assistance to be offered when it is needed the most. Here at Rockwood, we call these moments in time “Meaningful Moments”, in which we try to tie a current situation (shaving) with a positive past experience (going to the barber) to allow our residents to be cared for in ways that decrease anxiety and allow assistance to be accepted where it’s needed. The Rockwood Residents’ Foundation is a front-line sponsor in supporting this interaction by providing funding for the “Timeless Beauty Parlor and Spa” within the Courtyard, where it is needed most among our memory care residents. Those that have used this well-designed space have shown to be far less anxious going in for a haircut, with many greatly enjoying the experience it creates, just as they once enjoyed it before.