How to Help Your Senior Transition To Gray Hair
Author: Dan Nathanson
Making the switch to accepting gray hair can be an empowering decision for seniors. If they’re not confident about the transition, though, the idea can be a difficult one to accept. There are lots of reasons someone might hold off on going fully gray, including not being sure how to take care of gray hair or worrying that there are going to be bigger challenges by going that route. Personal care at home can be a huge help for seniors who are ready to make the move to accepting their gray hair.
Embracing the Grays
Deciding to embrace the gray hair is deeply personal and seniors hold off for so many reasons. They may worry that they look older because of gray hair or that they just won’t be able to handle it. For many people, factors like lifestyle needs, health, and even just preferences all factor into whether they are willing to accept their gray hair or not.
What to Expect
When seniors do decide to make the switch to accepting their gray hair, there are some changes that will occur. Hair texture often changes, for instance. Hair can become more coarse, frizzier, and more dry. There are emotional shifts that happen, because hair and identity are often intertwined. There are decisions to make, too. Seniors might opt to make an immediate switch by cutting their hair or having dye stripped from their hair. Other people are okay going with a gradual transition, letting gray gradually grow in.
Personal Care at Home Can Help
Personal care tasks are ones related to activities of daily living, like showering, eating, changing clothing, and dealing with hair tasks. If these tasks are becoming more difficult for seniors, they may benefit from having home care providers helping them. In terms of caring for their hair, personal care at home can help seniors revamp their routines, keep their hair healthier, and address other needs as well.
Tailored Hair Care Routines Help
Changing hair color, or letting it naturally revert to gray, means adopting some new hair care routines. Personal care at home can help seniors to find hairstyles that meet their lifestyles and needs. They can also help them to find hair care products that work well for gray hair. In some cases, seniors may need help washing hair, brushing it, and keeping it looking good every day.
Keeping Hair Healthy
Senior hair needs special care to stay healthy. Seniors may find that their hair is more susceptible to breakage because it’s more fragile. Skin on the scalp also thins and can be more prone to dryness and accidental injury. Home care providers help seniors care for their hair without damaging it and while looking for signs of other possible issues.
Stay Hydrated and Well-nourished
Hair health is easier to manage with other healthy habits in place. Staying hydrated and eating healthy foods helps seniors to stay healthy overall. Personal care at home can ensure that seniors are eating the right foods, getting plenty of water, and staying healthy in other ways.
Transitioning to gray hair can help seniors to feel more confident and can make life simpler. With the help of personal care at home, seniors can adopt routines that meet their needs and get help staying healthier, too.
If you or an aging loved one are considering personal care at home in Agoura, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers Home Care of Ventura County today at (805) 386-1031.
Home Helpers Home Care of Ventura County provides exceptional home care for seniors in Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Ventura, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Agoura, West Hills, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Topanga and surrounding areas.