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Mushycat Asked January 2018

We can't convince my demented mother-in-law to let the hairdresser do her hair. How do we do this?

My mother-in-law (88 years old) has had her hair done at the hairdressers for the past 40 years. She has severe dementia now and also mobility issues so can't go to the hairdresser. We have found a lovely mobile hairdresser but often times, my mother-in-law won't let her do her hair saying that she does not need it done, it's still shiny and she's not paying to get her hair done when it does not need it. Help!

Mushycat Jan 2018
Yes we have tried to tell her that her son (my husband) is paying and he wants her to look pretty.

Yes she does let her do her hair at other times and enjoys it. She let her colour it before Christmas. She brushes her hair and lets caregivers brush her hair. She has 24-7 care at home. We've tried to stick to her "Thursday" hair as her routine was groceries on Wednesdays and hair on Thursdays without fail.

Countrymouse Jan 2018
Does she *ever* let the lady do her hair?

If so, what's different on those occasions? See if you can find out what makes for a "good hair day" :) and stick to those times/days.

And if she won't let the hairdresser wash and set her hair, will she let anyone else at least brush it? It might be worth checking that there isn't anything hurting her - a cricked neck, a sore scalp for some reason, anything like that.

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blannie Jan 2018
Can you fib and tell MIL that the hairdresser is doing it for free to get some experience? Or she's a friend and you're helping her out getting her hours in for her license? Some kind of a fib that will let MIL think she's not paying and she's helping the woman by letting her do her hair. I'd try something like that.

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