Styles, smiles and the
Providing good times for people with dementia is mission for caring groups
IT could be any other small, high street hair salon. The wash basins, the heated tools, the smell of hairspray and the chatter. The only difference is this one is in a hospital and all hair cuts are free.
Every Wednesday, hairdressing students from New College Lanarkshire arrived at the elderly care ward at University Hospital Wishaw and treat patients suffering from dementia to free, morale-boosting blowdries and cuts. No one is turned away – it’s common for students and lecturers to miss lunch – and many work late to accommodate surprise visits.
The effect on patients can be transformative, according to those involved in the project. The daughter of one woman said the experience “gave me my mother back.”
“When the door closes the fun starts,” says Sharon Morrison, a nurse in nearby ward 9, who helps arrange appointments for patients in the little retro-styled salon, adorned with pictures of Twiggy and Brylcreem ads.
“For some older ladies, getting your hair done might be a weekly thing and it’s about maintaining this routine.” says Janice Miles, Senior Nurse leader for Older People.
“We wanted it to be as nonclinical as possible.” she says. “So there is an appointment book and everything else that you would expect in a salon but the number of people in the room is kept to a minimum and mirrors are not always used.”
All students have been given training in dementia to recognise if patients are showing any signs of distress.
Moods can quickly go from “bliss to tears” and according to Jaccqui Ward, hairdressing lecturer, who also pitches in with cuts and styling, it’s not uncommon for clients to express shock when they look in the mirror and realise they have grey hair – on one occasion prompting an emergency trip to the shops for coloured hair mousse.
Pauline Middleton, from Motherwell, a second year student, whose client it was says: “Her colour had grown out and she thought we had coloured her hair grey. You just need to stay nice and calm.”
Wishaw hospital is leading the way in the care of patients affected by dementia, winning the Alzheimer Scotland award for best hospital project three years in a row – this year for the Styles and Smiles project. It has also launched a theatre buddy scheme, where relatives can accompany family members suffering from dementia into theatre and has a dedicated Meaningful Activity Club.
The idea for the hair salon came from a porter who was taking an inpatient to an appointment and she expressed embarrassment
CAMPAIGN AIMS
We call for the Scottish Government and other political parties to commit to the provision of free care for all people with advancedstage dementia in Scotland.
about her hair and now other health boards across Scotland are taking notice.
While it’s mainly women who come in for appointments, students can also give male patients a barber standard
We want consistency in postdiagnostic support (dedicated link workers) for families affected by dementia diagnosis beyond the current one year.
Working with our partners we
shave and students and lecturers continue to come into the hospital through the Summer holidays.
Donna McGirr, Curriculum Leader for Hairdressing at New College Lanarkshire, said: “It’s want to educate and raise awareness of the issues surrounding dementia and care at all levels of society in Scotland.
We call for more investment from the Scottish Government in dementia research and care.
as much about the social interaction as the feel good factor. The patients love it but it’s also a great experience for our students, who can then take those skills into the community.”