She likes to have it done but it doesn't last.Mom has dementia and cannot fix her own hair at all. She still likes to look good, but this has really been an issue. I curl it for her once a week, or the on site beautician does, but it goes flat quickly because of being in bed a lot. Should I cut it short? Since she still cares about her appearance, I really don't know what to do. Any suggestions?
My MIL had a little wig she would wear when it was a " bad hair day". She was a beauty shop gal back in the day and very conscious of her hair. After the salon day she would wrap it in toilet paper and pen it with clips. She used a lot of spray. She would sleep on a satin pillow slip but when she got very old she did the short perm and it was good with just a shampoo.86. I have another aunt who has very straight hair and she just wears hers in a straight bob. 80. PD. So I think it depends on the type of hair and the ability to care for it Her hairdresser would probably know best. I have a 102 year old aunt ( bd yesterday) who wears hers like Lauren Bacall did back in the day. It's very white and full and a nice natural wave. She uses hot rollers once a week. We should all be so lucky.
Mother loved that she could go to have her hair done without leaving the building in her nursing home. It was important to her that her hair looked good, but she never really saw it. If I said to her, "Oh your hair looks especially nice today," she'd answer, "Well I don't know how it could. I haven't had it done in a long time!" (It was yesterday.) I'd say, "Hmm. Well I think maybe you did. Let's find a mirror." And then she would smile and say "I guess I must have had it done after all."
More important than the hair objectively looking good is the person thinking it looks good and being proud of it. We always commented on Mom's good hair, and so did others in the nh. That was very good for her!
Failing that perhaps as GA suggests cut it a little shorter and get it permed but if she is on heavy meds it may not take as well - or take too well!