Welsh care home's nail bar so popular that care workers learn beauty therapy to keep up with demand

A nail bar at a Flintshire care home has proved to be so popular with the residents that the home has had to train 10 members of staff in beauty therapy – just to keep up with the demand.

Pen-y-Bryn care home in Bagillt, Flintshire has found the nail bar has become the focal point of the home with women booking themselves in for a weekly ‘file and polish’.

And it’s not just the women who are benefiting from the new pampering facility - many of the home’s male residents are partial to a hand or foot massage, minus the polish.

The nail salon is just one of the additions to the home’s recently completed £1m extension which has been designed to expand the social space in the home and create a community feel.

Owner and manager Pam Bochenski said the completion of its extension last year signalled the birth of a new ‘person-centred’ approach at the home.

Staff no longer wear uniforms

Staff no longer wear uniforms and are instead encouraged to come to work in bright colours and flowers to brighten the feel of the home and promote interaction between residents.

They also carry sensory items like feathers and musical instruments to encourage residents to engage in communication.

“When I bought the home 10 years ago there was an old farmhouse with 11 bedrooms and a bungalow in front with six bedrooms. It was like two separate businesses and it was always our aim to try and join them together,” said Ms Bochenski, who lives in nearby Cuddington.

“It came to fruition 18 months ago when we created a link from the old part of the building to the new and added bedrooms. The original bungalow is now the social area of the home with a hairdressing salon, nail bar, sensory room, new kitchen and nurses’ station. There’s also a lounge diner and conservatory.

Holistic care

“Care has to change. We all want to get away from the institutionalised care homes of the past where people sat in their rooms all day. I did a lot of research during the building work and really liked the idea of more holistic care.”

She added: “The residents really like being pampered but who doesn’t? It’s open every day and there’s no need to book, we just open the door. We’ve always offered hand and foot massages but we wanted to ensure residents could go along to a salon rather than just sitting in the lounge.

“The men go in as well and enjoy a hand or foot massage. A lot of our residents have difficulties with speech but when they come out of the salon they show everyone their nails and this encourages social interaction.”

Joyce Hughes, 91, is a salon regular and enjoys nothing better than a hand or foot massage to relax.

“My mother used to give me a manicure so it’s nice to be doing it again,” said the grandmother-of-nine, who grew up in Flintshire and used to work in a factory before becoming a housewife.

“I’m willing to try any colour really but I prefer pink, cream or orange. I really quite enjoy it, it’s very relaxing. It’s quite easy for me to get to the nail bar and I look forward to my manicure. It’s like going to a real salon.”

Brenda Wareham, 80, likes to bring her grandchildren along to watch her getting pampered in the in-house salon.

'It’s important to me to keep looking good'

“I like getting my hair done at the same time if I can. It’s important to me to keep looking good,” said the 80-year-old, who grew up in Holywell and used to work in a bakery.

“I still love dressing up even now. I do it for my grandchildren really when they come to visit. I usually go for a pink as I don’t really think it’s appropriate to go too bright – I am 80 years old after all. I have to act my age!

“I have nine grandchildren and they like to come and watch me getting my nails done.”

'Thinking outside the box'

The innovative idea has been commended by Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, the body that represents around 500 independent social care providers in Wales.

“Helping residents to lead active and fulfilled lives is a priority at Pen-y-Bryn and facilities like the new nail salon have been warmly welcomed by staff, residents and their families,” he said.

“I’m proud of the team for continually thinking outside the box to bring community life to the home and make a difference to their residents’ well-being.”

SOURCE: carehome.co.uk   Sue Learner