Does anyone do any work in residential homes I was thinking of doing a manicure service for the um mature client!! I thought that I could go in and while they were having their coffee do a few manicures.There are quite a few in the area which is quite an affluent part of town and the ladies that live there might have the time and some "spare" cash!!!! I do not mean the very very old but the more retired lady.Anyone got any thoughts on this or has anyone done it??
Anyone work in residential homes???
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Denise W
Well-Known Member
I was thinking about doing exactly the same thing! I'm only just starting out and haven't really got very far yet but I think it's a great idea. Some of the older ladies love to do their make up/nails etc and maybe if their eyesight is not as good as it used to be or their hand isn't as steady as it was, they would love a bit of pampering to make them look nice.
wendy malley
Well-Known Member
I worked with the elderly for years and yes they would love it. Anything that makes them feel feminine again and gives them something to look forward to is a bonus for them and sadly quite rare. Insurance would be a must and you may have to be crb (police)cleared before you can go into the homes but contact the home managers, i'm sure it will go well.Good luck.
Sounds like it might be a good idea then! How should I approach them? Just turn up and see if I can speak to the manager or ring them? I suppose ringing might be the best way!! What should I say I am not really good at that kind of thing!!
Here's a thread from a while ago - I've got a post in the middle of it that explains my experiences.
http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/86686-manicures-elderly-care-homes.html
As for charging, speak to the home and see what rates would be in line with what the clients can afford. Keep your rates reasonable but fair, but give a good, thorough service - a lot of residents have little physical contact and they like massage and a kind, warm hand.
Don't write off homes for the "very very old" - these ladies like to feel and look good too! There are so many levels of care - speak to the site managers and see what they say about whether or not their clients would be receptive. And keep in mind not everyone in a home is elderly - I have several clients in their early 40's that live in residential care, and they want their regular manicures and waxing.
The homes themselves might pay for your police check, so see if they require that (my homes offered to pay for me).
I hope you find a good fit! Best of luck!
http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/86686-manicures-elderly-care-homes.html
As for charging, speak to the home and see what rates would be in line with what the clients can afford. Keep your rates reasonable but fair, but give a good, thorough service - a lot of residents have little physical contact and they like massage and a kind, warm hand.
Don't write off homes for the "very very old" - these ladies like to feel and look good too! There are so many levels of care - speak to the site managers and see what they say about whether or not their clients would be receptive. And keep in mind not everyone in a home is elderly - I have several clients in their early 40's that live in residential care, and they want their regular manicures and waxing.
The homes themselves might pay for your police check, so see if they require that (my homes offered to pay for me).
I hope you find a good fit! Best of luck!
Liane
Well-Known Member
I currently have "my ladies" that I see every other Tuesday, they are older ladies with learning difficulties and every time I go there, they are waiting for me, vie for my attention and one has even crocheted a little blanket for me!! I provide three of them with a manicure with hand and arm massage, one has just a mini manicure (she has diabetes and is also a little bit tight!!) and they absolutely love it. The other lady is nearly 80 and has gel tips!! I am CRB checked and was lucky enough to be contacted by them. It is the regular jobs like this that are appreciated the most :lol:
kylieb
Well-Known Member
Don't write off homes for the "very very old''
Agreed! There is a lady in the care home just around the corner from me who is 94. I do a cut file and polish on her because she is nearly blind and cant see to do them herself. I charge her £10. I hope I am still getting my nails done if I live until that age! x
i work part timeas an activities coordinator in a residential / nursing home
we have a lady who comes in once a week and does manicures and waxing (top lips & chins,lol) i know she charges about £8 for the manicure which i believe is just a shape and polish and a bit of a massage, not sure what she charges for the waxing.
she has 6 clients (out of a potential 50) but i guess thats not too bad as they're all in one place
you will need to have a crb check and i do believe pova (or the new governing bodies for the protection of vulnerable adults) are putting a whole new set of guidelines in place for care professionals as well as outsiders who visit the home for business purposes, ie beauty therapists, hairdressers etc .. not entirely sure what they entail, but the lady who trains us mentioned she'd been going into local beauty schools and giving talks and that certain checks and ongoing training would have to be put in place
the beauty therapist and 2 hairdressers who visit our home currently attend all our training sessions - however, i dont know if thats a legal requirement or if its a condition of the home for them to work for us
HTH
we have a lady who comes in once a week and does manicures and waxing (top lips & chins,lol) i know she charges about £8 for the manicure which i believe is just a shape and polish and a bit of a massage, not sure what she charges for the waxing.
she has 6 clients (out of a potential 50) but i guess thats not too bad as they're all in one place
you will need to have a crb check and i do believe pova (or the new governing bodies for the protection of vulnerable adults) are putting a whole new set of guidelines in place for care professionals as well as outsiders who visit the home for business purposes, ie beauty therapists, hairdressers etc .. not entirely sure what they entail, but the lady who trains us mentioned she'd been going into local beauty schools and giving talks and that certain checks and ongoing training would have to be put in place
the beauty therapist and 2 hairdressers who visit our home currently attend all our training sessions - however, i dont know if thats a legal requirement or if its a condition of the home for them to work for us
HTH
LOU LOU
Well-Known Member
Hi girls,
Sorry to be the one to rain on your parades, but a friend of mine did that and she said she would never ever do it again. She said that all she ever had were complaints and they expected it done for "free" and one customer went to a nail bar in the town and started bad mouthing her. My friend went to the so-called nail bar and the Nail Technician said that she used to do that particular clients nails and she had had the same experience and that client would go back and complain that her nails were chipping, peeling etc and in the end she told the client that she could no longer do them for her. (My friends regular other clients never had reason to complain)
I can't speak for myself but my friend said it was doing her more damage than good.
Every situation is different, but maybe that is something you need to be aware of.
Sorry to be the one to rain on your parades, but a friend of mine did that and she said she would never ever do it again. She said that all she ever had were complaints and they expected it done for "free" and one customer went to a nail bar in the town and started bad mouthing her. My friend went to the so-called nail bar and the Nail Technician said that she used to do that particular clients nails and she had had the same experience and that client would go back and complain that her nails were chipping, peeling etc and in the end she told the client that she could no longer do them for her. (My friends regular other clients never had reason to complain)
I can't speak for myself but my friend said it was doing her more damage than good.
Every situation is different, but maybe that is something you need to be aware of.
kezza*
Well-Known Member
I did manicure for age concern and because there are a charity I had to do them for free,,,, which was ok because it was only a one off. I have spoken to a couple of residnetal homes and they either want me to do it for free or at a rate that just covers your cost.
Not sure if there are all the same but guess it's oe of those things that you'll have to ring and find out more.
Kerry
Not sure if there are all the same but guess it's oe of those things that you'll have to ring and find out more.
Kerry
to reitarate (sp?) what lou lou has said, yes some of the elderly clients can be awkard - or even confused .
our lady has ended up having to give up half way through a manicure as the client was confused and started to get agressive - she was no bother before, but unfortunately the sad thing about elderly people is that they do deteriorate over time and their moods can change from one day to the next
she has also turned up and ended up doing 2 out of 6 manicures and 3 of them were still in bed and one had a surprise visitor, not a happy bunny!
if you are serious about doing this i would stay away from your typical residential / nursing home as they appear to be crammed to the hilt with more and more dementia clients (despite being registered as a residential homes) and perhaps concentrate on warden controlled type accommodation where you know the clients will not be confused and actually remember why you are there in the first place!
i wish you well x
our lady has ended up having to give up half way through a manicure as the client was confused and started to get agressive - she was no bother before, but unfortunately the sad thing about elderly people is that they do deteriorate over time and their moods can change from one day to the next
she has also turned up and ended up doing 2 out of 6 manicures and 3 of them were still in bed and one had a surprise visitor, not a happy bunny!
if you are serious about doing this i would stay away from your typical residential / nursing home as they appear to be crammed to the hilt with more and more dementia clients (despite being registered as a residential homes) and perhaps concentrate on warden controlled type accommodation where you know the clients will not be confused and actually remember why you are there in the first place!
i wish you well x
Hi Blush09, Please could you elaborate on what you mean by this? (warden controlled type accommodation) How do you know this kind of accommodation just by the name? I was looking into this last month but I haven't actually made a concrete move yet.
Thanks in anticipation of your response.
Thanks in anticipation of your response.
hi,
warden controlled or assisted living accommodation is a concentration of flats or even bungalows whereby elderly singles or couples can livey fairly independantly with or without the help of a carer.
they have their own home and if required a carer may just pop in to help them get dressed or prepare their meals, alternatively they may not need any help at all but just like to feel safe in the knowledge that a carer or warden is on hand should they need any assistance.
my nan had a little warden controlled flat and absolutely loved it, there was a small community hall attached to the flats where they had bingo, social get togethers etc,and i seem to remember on a tues a foot health practionier set up a little clinic there -might be an idea to offer manis/pedis, waxing etc on certain days of the week, also for visitors and staff ? you could drum up interest by offering a manicure as a prize if they have bingo etc ..
i live in a fairly rural town and there at least 3 of these set ups locally, so im guessing there must be a few in your area ?
i was just recommending you look more towards clients in this type of set up than a residential home as the later clients will tend to be more confused, can also get agitated and occasionally agressive - i work for a chain of homes all over the south east and i see it time and time again
having said that, there is no harm in phoning the local homes and speaking to the managers, see if they what they think - after all the manager should know her clients. the above is only my personal opinion and experience of the problems i have seen faced by the beauty therapists and hairdressers who come to our homes
warden controlled or assisted living accommodation is a concentration of flats or even bungalows whereby elderly singles or couples can livey fairly independantly with or without the help of a carer.
they have their own home and if required a carer may just pop in to help them get dressed or prepare their meals, alternatively they may not need any help at all but just like to feel safe in the knowledge that a carer or warden is on hand should they need any assistance.
my nan had a little warden controlled flat and absolutely loved it, there was a small community hall attached to the flats where they had bingo, social get togethers etc,and i seem to remember on a tues a foot health practionier set up a little clinic there -might be an idea to offer manis/pedis, waxing etc on certain days of the week, also for visitors and staff ? you could drum up interest by offering a manicure as a prize if they have bingo etc ..
i live in a fairly rural town and there at least 3 of these set ups locally, so im guessing there must be a few in your area ?
i was just recommending you look more towards clients in this type of set up than a residential home as the later clients will tend to be more confused, can also get agitated and occasionally agressive - i work for a chain of homes all over the south east and i see it time and time again
having said that, there is no harm in phoning the local homes and speaking to the managers, see if they what they think - after all the manager should know her clients. the above is only my personal opinion and experience of the problems i have seen faced by the beauty therapists and hairdressers who come to our homes
lol .. have just looked at the link from one of the replies and i was the original poster, enquiring about offering this service when i was thinking of doing a cnd course in manicures
needless to say i soon changed my mind when i started working at the home, lol
im aware im coming across as a real kill joy, but all im trying to say is do your homework first - try to find out what the residents are like, as i mentioned before our homes are classed as residential, but id say 70% have dementia or challenging behaviour
on another note, many of the carers are polish, philipine etc and absolutely love having their nails done - some with nail art etc (although they're not really allowed) perhaps you could try and target them, just ask if some leaflets could be left in the staff room
i have just thought also, my friend does mini makeovers / manicures for a group of young adults with learning difficulties - almost like a pamper party, she also teaches them how to look after their nails etc .. just another idea
needless to say i soon changed my mind when i started working at the home, lol
im aware im coming across as a real kill joy, but all im trying to say is do your homework first - try to find out what the residents are like, as i mentioned before our homes are classed as residential, but id say 70% have dementia or challenging behaviour
on another note, many of the carers are polish, philipine etc and absolutely love having their nails done - some with nail art etc (although they're not really allowed) perhaps you could try and target them, just ask if some leaflets could be left in the staff room
i have just thought also, my friend does mini makeovers / manicures for a group of young adults with learning difficulties - almost like a pamper party, she also teaches them how to look after their nails etc .. just another idea
LOU LOU
Well-Known Member
The home my friend worked at was Warden Controlled and they all had their own flats.
My friend said that the lady in particular admitted that she would wash up without rubber gloves (against my friends aftercare advice) and still refused to accept that this was the reason why her nails were chipping, bubbling, peeling etc.
As I have said in my earlier post, I cannot speak personally as I have never worked with the elderly, but I personally think that there are more disadavantages than advantages to working with the elderly, especially in care homes.
My friend said that the lady in particular admitted that she would wash up without rubber gloves (against my friends aftercare advice) and still refused to accept that this was the reason why her nails were chipping, bubbling, peeling etc.
As I have said in my earlier post, I cannot speak personally as I have never worked with the elderly, but I personally think that there are more disadavantages than advantages to working with the elderly, especially in care homes.
karma-beauty
Well-Known Member
I used to this and it was fab.
At the end of the day it was mainly a nail trim and tidy with a light massage and polish if the ladies wanted it.
I didnt used to charge alot it was approx £6.00 but it was around 5-6 years ago.
I would only to the homes when there were a minimum of 5 ladies at one time wishing to have the treatment.
Faye
xx
Brandywine
Well-Known Member
I tried this myself a couple of years ago. I found that the few clients I did manage to get were unreliable (forgot, weren't in etc), and I spent a long time with each client for only a small amount of money.
I now work for an hourly set amount at a home for people with mental health problems. The proprietor pays for this and I fit the clients in the time I have allocated. This works better as I don't get the confusion that I used to get.
It's worth a try though, good luck.
I now work for an hourly set amount at a home for people with mental health problems. The proprietor pays for this and I fit the clients in the time I have allocated. This works better as I don't get the confusion that I used to get.
It's worth a try though, good luck.
