Even the Geriatrics Want To Look Beautiful
Geriatrics refers to medical care for older adults, an age group that is not easy to define precisely. “Older” is preferred over “elderly,” but both are equally imprecise; >65 is the age often used, but most people do not need expertise in geriatric care until age 70, 75, or even 80. A Guide to Caring for the Elderly Parents, May 2021, states that Elderly care includes considering one’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Essentials necessary to the dignity, physical, and emotional well-being of our elderly parents is to ensure their daily living requirements are met effectively.
Many long-term care facilities have contracts with beauticians to provide services to the residents. Resident salon services provide onsite salon services to retirement communities, assisted living facilities, long term care centers, and nursing homes.
The Elderly Deserve to Be Treated With Dignity
Whether the elderly is living independently, with a caregiver or in a long-term care facility, they deserve to be recognized and respected for their need to be treated with dignity. Their perception of their appearance can have an impact on their mental health and well-being. Aging does not mean that as we age, we don’t care about appearance. In fact, as we age, many individuals strive to maintain a sense of youthful spirit regarding their mental outlook on life. A great hairdo can make an elderly woman feel glamorous. As individuals age, many continue to maintain their physical appearance because it makes them feel good about themselves.
People are Living Longer Today
People are living longer and are healthier. Instead of entering a nursing home in their 60’s and 70’s, individuals are entering in their 80’s and 90’s with perhaps another 10 plus years to live. Living longer with good health and a positive attitude about oneself contributes to the mental outlook on life. Today’s emphasis on 60’s is the new 50’s is a clear indication that the elderly in our society is striving to look and feel younger than their chronological age.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 40.3 million U.S. residents 65 years and older in the 2010 Census and more than 54 million on July 1, 2018. The elderly population is increasing, and regardless of their living arrangements, many are striving to maintain a healthy outlook on their physical appearance. Salons are much a part of their lives, for both men and women, in helping them to keep moving forward with a smile and positive attitude toward themselves.
