We all know that feeling—after a good shower, styling our hair, and putting on a little lipstick, we feel ready to take on the world. It’s no different for someone with Alzheimer’s. For our mom, looking like her “old self” boosts her cognition and alertness. The simple ritual of getting ready helps her switch on.
Since her diagnosis, we’ve made it a point to take her to the nail salon for a manicure and pedicure (mani/pedi). She used to do her nails bi-weekly, so continuing this routine allows her to feel pampered and maintain a sense of normalcy. Plus, it’s practical—her manicurist keeps her nails trimmed and neat. Sure, we could do this at home, but with so much of her independence lost, we wanted to keep this little luxury going as long as possible.
Here are a few tips we’ve found helpful:
1. We stick to the same salon, where the staff knows she has Alzheimer’s and treats her like family.
2. As her Alzheimer’s advanced, we switched to gel manicures because they last longer.
3. Instead of letting her choose from all the nail polish colors, I offer Mom two shades I know she’ll love so she can still decide without feeling overwhelmed.
4. We book our appointments during quieter times to keep the salon’s hustle and bustle from overwhelming her. Since she’s not a morning person, we always go in the afternoon.
A bonus: When our mom looks put together, people respond to her just as they always have—they see her, not the disease. This routine also helps our dad. Friends and family continue to interact with her like they did before Alzheimer’s, which is incredibly important to us.
Twice a month, our mom gets pampered, and it’s a simple way to help her feel and look like herself. If you’re looking for a small gesture with a big impact, consider adding a trip to the nail salon to your routine.
