Dementia-friendly beauty workshops give care home residents back their sparkle

"There is no shortage of smiles from our ladies when they see their finished look," says make up specialist Kelly Anthony. "Who doesn't want to be told they are beautiful, whatever their age."

Ms Anthony is the founder of Beautiful You, the UK's first dementia-friendly beauty therapy workshops within the care home sector. She has set up spa-style treatment rooms in more than 40 care homes to give older lades back their sparkle.

The 36-year-old from Porthcawl says the "benefits are much more than skin deep", having a positive effect on health, happiness and wellbeing.

She added: "The 90-minute beauty treatments through gentle massage, skincare and makeup have been formulated to be relaxing and comforting for the residents.

"As the experience is tactical, the gentle touch lets them know someone cares in helping them to feel less isolated, reduce anxiety and ease their minds. They are all wonderfully individual and some may want to talk while you are providing treatments whilst others will very often relax to the point of falling asleep."

Halo effect

The purpose built, spa-style theme is enhanced with soothing sounds and scents that ease the residents' mind and body, providing an environment where they feel at ease, relaxed and enjoy the feeling of being pampered.

"Our workshop takes residents on a relaxing journey where they can see themselves transform," said Ms Anthony."We help our ladies to relax and enjoy the personal moments of pampering along with the stimulation of being in the company of other ladies who will always comment on how incredible they are all looking.

"We often hear comments at the beginning of the sessions like ‘don't waste that makeup on me’ or ‘give it to someone who deserves it’, but their reactions to their transformations are always so positive and heart-warming."

For Ms Anthony, there isn't one part of her role she enjoys more than the other.

"There is something so incredible about the joy it brings to theses ladies and also the change in their moods," she said. "They are all so uplifted and we also see families and carers feel the benefits to; there is a positive halo effect that is quick to spread throughout the home. The benefits stay with our ladies long after they have enjoyed the workshops.

"And working with the older generation has given me more of an insight into just how much they deserve our care and respect. They still have the dignity that was with them in younger years, regardless of what illnesses they may be living with now."

Made to feel special

While she sees the job as more of a vocation, it is not without its challenges. "When you are able to give something back to these ladies and see the joy it brings them, then it really is wonderful and uplifting for our specialist and well-trained spa therapists. But the hardest part of what we do is without a doubt, accepting that sometimes the ladies that you have been expecting to see are no longer with us."

Beautiful You have attended Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court care home for the past year and have worked with a number of residents, including 93-year-old Pauline, originally from London.

Commenting on the experience, she said: "Having a makeover brings back memories of times where makeup was hard to come by and I had to improvise with different creams and products. I enjoy being made to feel special on a regular basis."

91-year- old resident Gwyneth Davies also looks forward to the workshops. She said: "It can be so lonely sometimes, especially settling in somewhere new, so I look forward to the time spent with the other ladies and am thrilled to bits that these therapists come in and pamper us. The treatments are wonderful, soothing and very relaxing."

According to Emma Price, administrator assistant at Albert Edward Prince Of Wales Court, "a lot of our ladies can feel a bit detached from their old lives but these sessions give them a lift, a special boost, and take them back to the women that they once were.

"After all," she said, "what lady doesn’t like to feel special!"

Beautiful You UK has been specifically created for female residents of care homes. In early 2019, they will be launching a range of treatments specifically for male residents too.

For more information visit: www.beautifulyouuk.co.uk or contact info@beautifulyouuk.co.uk 07490 780 071.