February 28, 2011 |

The importance of a facility hair stylist

I was surprised to find no beauty shop in this facility upon my arrival last fall. It did not directly affect me because I usually go out to have my hair done. But I have to admit, having one on site is a nice convenience.

Even without a shop in-house, a young stylist came in every month or so to cut the residents’ hair. She usually came on a Saturday or Sunday and cut hair for a couple of hours in the TV room. There was no blow drying or styling done, but at least the residents had a reliable way to stay groomed. I never asked the cost of a haircut and the fees were not posted, so I assumed she did what residents could afford.

When the stylist quit in October, there were rumors she felt she did not make enough to justify her long commute. When the male residents learned she was leaving, some had their hair cut extremely short. But after so many months they are beginning to look scruffy. I have not heard female residents complaining but some of them have been able to get the aides to trim their hair. Some nurses and aides are willing to trim hair or bangs whenever it is needed.

I don’t understand why there is not a beauty/barber shop here. I know most females feel better if there is a beauty shop around. I think it helps center them and reminds them what they used to do. I am sure that some of the men feel the need of a barber as well.

Over the years the cost of haircuts and other services at facility salons have gone up. The stylists at the facility I left last fall charged $12 for a haircut, $20 for hair coloring, and $38 for a perm. Those prices are still lower than the retail market, and I could usually negotiate even lower prices with the stylist depending on what I was having done.

I enjoy getting my hair cut, colored, or permed. It makes me feel better and a bit pampered. It is too bad that some of these residents can’t enjoy that same feeling. I hope before long there will be another stylist whose rates are reasonable, and I am sure when the residents have the opportunity to get a haircut it will make them look and feel much better.

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