I saw Sherlock1066's question about hair washing and it's reminded me that on our next visit to M, I will have the task of trying to persuade her to have her hair cut. I hope Sherlock doesn't mind me tagging on to this theme.
Pre-dementia my M always had her hair cut at chin length. Now, due to a passing comment about how nice her hair looked after she'd had a bath - M is now refusing to have her hair cut.
I know for all of you this is probably the least of your worries with the person you are caring for but I was just wondering if people had experienced the same or have any tips.
It has become so long now, it generally looks untidy - this is no reflection on M's carers - but it has become unmanageable.
When family members have gently suggested she go to the hairdresser to have a 'little trim' she gets cross and upset. It's a shame as she took pride in her appearance and now looks unkempt and I feel loosing her dignity.
Giving a photo of how her hair it used to be didn't trigger her to want to change it - it was silly of me to think she would make that connection now.
She cried when she tried on some clothes she was given when she looked in the mirror a few months ago - and she tried to express that everything looked horrible - it was the clothes (she has put on a lot of weight) but also I don't think she sees 'herself' in the mirror anymore - would a haircut help? and should there be a full length mirror in her room?
The carers have the approach that if someone doesn't want to do something they don't have to and I'm not suggesting Mum is forced. However she appeared to enjoy having her hair dried by me last time I visited. I have no hair cutting skills whatsoever, but am seriously considering asking the carers if I could cut a few inches off, if M will let me - would it then show her - that it's 'OK' then she could go to the care home's hairdresser to have it neatened up?
Cutting a few inches wouldn't even be close to how she used to have it - that's how bad it's got
Would there be an issue bringing in scissors?
Thanks for listening
Meercat
Pre-dementia my M always had her hair cut at chin length. Now, due to a passing comment about how nice her hair looked after she'd had a bath - M is now refusing to have her hair cut.
I know for all of you this is probably the least of your worries with the person you are caring for but I was just wondering if people had experienced the same or have any tips.
It has become so long now, it generally looks untidy - this is no reflection on M's carers - but it has become unmanageable.
When family members have gently suggested she go to the hairdresser to have a 'little trim' she gets cross and upset. It's a shame as she took pride in her appearance and now looks unkempt and I feel loosing her dignity.
Giving a photo of how her hair it used to be didn't trigger her to want to change it - it was silly of me to think she would make that connection now.
She cried when she tried on some clothes she was given when she looked in the mirror a few months ago - and she tried to express that everything looked horrible - it was the clothes (she has put on a lot of weight) but also I don't think she sees 'herself' in the mirror anymore - would a haircut help? and should there be a full length mirror in her room?
The carers have the approach that if someone doesn't want to do something they don't have to and I'm not suggesting Mum is forced. However she appeared to enjoy having her hair dried by me last time I visited. I have no hair cutting skills whatsoever, but am seriously considering asking the carers if I could cut a few inches off, if M will let me - would it then show her - that it's 'OK' then she could go to the care home's hairdresser to have it neatened up?
Cutting a few inches wouldn't even be close to how she used to have it - that's how bad it's got
Would there be an issue bringing in scissors?
Thanks for listening
Meercat