A Day In The Salon
For the last 12 years, l have been rewarded knowing that salon services provide part of the ‘feel good factor’ for our patients. Below describes a typical day.
The salon opens at 10 am, I first check for messages from reception and nursing staff. I see patients who are currently being cared for on the ward or attending the day therapy unit. I will attend the morning meeting in day therapy, which provides me with the relevant information about specific needs or concerns about today’s patients. My first client is a new to our services. She is initially very apprehensive about coming to the Hospice, we spend some time talking about how relaxed it is here, and the various types of support that are available. She hasn’t had the energy to take care of her hair these last few months and thinks she needs a restyle. She is also worried about some facial hair that has grown and would like it removed. We chatted, just as we would have done in a high street salon, about her family and hobbies. She also felt comfortable enough to speak about her colostomy concerns. I make a mental note of that and, with her permission, will make sure I feed that back to the nursing staff.
I then receive a telephone call form a gentleman who has two new wigs and accessories he would like to donate. I am delighted to accept these kind donations as I have clients in the Hospice who will make good use of them.
Next, I see an older man who has been too weary to shave. I also persuade him to have a short back and sides to go with it. He’s been unwell all week after a decision to stop some medication. I later discussed this with my nurse colleagues and they chat with him about this. I then see a lady who is very poorly and immobile. She is desperate to have her hair done but is unable to tolerate having her hair washed in the sink. I decide on a rinse free shampoo cap and blow dry which I can provide in the lounge so she doesn’t have to come down to the salon. She is delighted with the result – it is at such moments when I realise how worthwhile this service is.
At 2 PM I go on to the ward and see two patients who are too unwell and weary to come to the salon. All that is required is a cut and blow dry for a lady and a trim for a gentleman with a tidy up of ears and eye brows. Back in Day Therapy, nursing assistant, Carol brings to the salon a weary but chatty lady who is due a course of chemotherapy. She has some dry scaly patches on her scalp that some need attention. Then I fit her new wig and apply some make-up. It is quite daunting for her at this point in her treatment, as she knows she will lose her hair. We take the opportunity to chat about how that can be managed and I give her some tips. I now have a lot of experience of working with wigs and with those who have lost their hair or have hair growing back when treatment is completed. Although she is tired, she wants a manicure and a massage of her hands.
The salon has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and can encourage patients to open up and speak freely. Many people can’t imagine how hairdressing (and the other bits) is so important in a hospice. I know from my years of experience of providing this service here, what a difference it makes and how much better people often feel afterwards.
Posted: 27-10-2011 17:20:00
