Lodi nursing home adds full salon for residents

The unveiling of Salon Vienna commenced Friday afternoon with words from Vienna administrator Corey Wright, who led a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside staffers at the nursing home and rehabilitation center.

During the ceremony residents and staff explored the salon and enjoyed hor d'oeuvres and light refreshments.

Guests were invited to receive massages as they toured the salon, which is located directly behind the nursing home. The site was previously a doctor’s office.

The salon offers residents a getaway to have their hair cut, trimmed, colored or permed. It is equipped with a shampooing station and blow dryers as well as a barber’s chair for male residents.

There is also a designated area for residents to receive manicures and pedicures.

Vienna kept all of its residents in mind when building the salon.

“The entire salon was built to be wheelchair accessible,” said Jamie Vilinskas, marketing director at Vienna.

The space also contains a dentist chair and dental equipment, in one of the rooms located in the salon.

“Most other facilities have salons, but none have a dental facility on site” said Wright, “which is really crucial, because oral hygiene is extremely important.”

Residents will be able to get cleanings and dental screenings.

“We have hired a dental hygienist who will be on staff to perform that for our residents” Vilinskas said. “We have also hired full-time beauticians who will be available for residents, their family members and even employees.”

The inspiration to expand the salon was spurred by Wright and Vienna owner Kenneth Heffel, who wanted to provide an outlet for residents to go lift their spirits, according to Vilinskas.

“We wanted to provide more at our facility,” Vilinskas said. “Our aim was to create a calm, rejuvenating atmosphere. It’s about providing more than medical care. We want to provide something for the whole body, inside and out”.

The salon is adorned with glass chandeliers from Manteca Lighting, beautiful leather chairs and marble tiles. Mirrors accent the walls of each beauty station.

“It is wonderful to see and to experience,” said Brittany Ortegel, an employee at Vienna. “It has been open for a week and the residents just love it, and you can see it’s already having an impact of excitement here.”