Style, relationships maintained at salons
Concordia Lutheran Ministries offers five in-house hair salons on the Cabot campus for their residents to freshen up their look and maintain a positive attitude.
Connor Hagen, director of retirement living at Concordia, said that all three resident buildings have a fully functioning salon, as well as both health centers. At each salon, residents may receive coloring, cuts, shampoo and other services.
“For anyone, routines are important,” Hagen said. “For ladies, their hair is different than yours or mine, they need specific care.”
For many residents at Concordia, the in-house hair salon is the only way they are able to get their hair washed and shampooed on a regular basis.
“This is a valued service that they receive,’ Hagen said. “They want to be presentable, and there is an emotional value about feeling good about yourself.”
Although the salons do still require payment after a specified service, they act as a social benefit for the residents as well, as many of the women get together and talk with each other and the licensed beauticians.
Hagen also said that although he mainly sees women at the salons, when the barber who comes on campus is not available, he sees men there as well.
Although the salon is available for hair care, Concordia also has senior personal care that staff focuses on with senior residents, such as cuticle care, painted nails and other health benefits.
“I live to serve the residents,” Hagen said. “I engage with them in a way that their lives are better, so that they enjoy them and are living them to the fullest.”
The beauticians are no different.
“They engage with the residents in the same way I do,” Hagen said. “It’s more than just a customer relationship, it’s a long-term relationship that adds value to the overall community.”
All about town
Salons in the community are also welcoming to their senior clients.
Nancy Gifford, owner of Double Image Styling Salon in Bon Aire Plaza, sees senior residents daily.
Her salon offers basic hair services, cuts, colors, shampoos and more, as well as manicures and pedicures.
“For some seniors, this is their social life,” Gifford said. “They become friends and bond at the salon. They enjoy it, and it’s helping a lot of women who can’t do their own hair at home.”
Gifford who has been in business for 35 years, said she sees the women who enter her salon sometimes more than her own family.
“I have a bond with them,” Gifford said.
