Dementia Support Line
Personal grooming and dementia
People with dementia may need help with personal grooming. Read tips for how carers can give support.
Supporting a person with washing and dressing
- How does dementia affect washing and dressing?
- How to prepare to support someone with dementia to wash and dress
- How to support a person with dementia to wash, bathe and shower
- When a person with dementia doesn’t want to change their clothes or wash
- How to support a person with dementia to get dressed or change clothes
- You are here: Personal grooming and dementia
If the person usually styles their hair and wears make-up, aftershave or perfume, they may need help to continue doing this.
Be aware of their likes and preferences with styling. Try not to make assumptions about how they would like to look or what others think they should wear. Their choice of outfit, accessories or make-up may have religious, cultural or sentimental importance to them. It could be a significant part of their identity.
As long as they are not at risk of harm, it is important that you allow the person to express their identity through choices about their appearance. Photographs are a good way of remembering how they like to wear their hair, make-up, clothes or accessories.
Some people with dementia may not recognise themselves in the mirror and may think a stranger is in their home. This can be very confusing and upsetting. Consider removing or covering the mirror and guiding them to do their hair or make-up.
If the person has difficulty using their preferred brand, try finding the same scent in a different form. Consider a smaller size that is easier to hold or a roll-on instead of a spray.
If they are confused about how to style their hair, consider showing them what they need to do. Having hair products and items like a brush or comb in front of them can help.
If they prefer you to style their hair, keep checking to make sure they are happy with what you are doing.
If they are having trouble with this and are at risk of hurting themselves, consider an alternative, such as an electric shaver.
If they are having difficulty with this, suggest ways to help or simplify things. For example, they could use less make-up or use the same product for different purposes, such as using an eyebrow pencil as eyeliner too. Extra wide pencils and lipsticks can also be easier to hold.
It is vital that good hygiene is maintained to prevent infections and keep eyes healthy. Find out how the person uses and looks after their contact lenses and support them to continue their usual routine.
If they forget any steps, it may help to make a list for them to follow. Or you can stay with them when they insert or take out the lenses.
You may also need to remind them to wash their hands before inserting the lenses and remove them at night time. If the person is unable to continue using contact lenses safely, it may be necessary to find alternatives, such as glasses.
Support them to keep their glasses clean and get regular eye checks to ensure the prescription is correct.
If they are finding it difficult to use scissors, consider wide-grip or longer nail cutters. They may prefer a chiropodist or manicurist to do this for them.
If the person is struggling with an item that they have always been used to, it may help to demonstrate how to put the item on.
If they have forgotten the steps in the process, consider writing this down for them or gently reminding them of each step.
Some people find personal grooming, such as manicures, pedicures, massages and hair appointments, very relaxing. The person might enjoy this as a social and pleasurable activity.
They might be used to going to the beauty salon, hairdresser or barber and may want to continue to do this. If they prefer treatments at home, consider arranging a visit from a mobile beauty or hairdressing service.