08/20/2026
As dementia progresses, a woman’s personal care needs shift from independence to needing support, especially with tasks like washing hair. She may forget when she washed her hair last, lose track of the steps involved, become anxious about water, or feel embarrassed about needing help.
To get the best long-term benefit from grooming, smile, relax, play music, and have fun. Try to maintain the routine she established for herself prior to getting dementia. Allow her to use her favorite products when possible. The less you change her routine the longer she will be able to take care of herself, making your job easier.
👵 Hair care:
Once she reaches the point where she needs help with her hair, it’s time to consider short, simple haircuts. This will make it easier for her to remain somewhat independent a little bit longer. You may only have to remind her to comb her hair at first. Farther into the disease, you will need to guide her hand to get her started. Eventually you will need to take over her hair care.
If your loved one is in her 40s or 50s the drop in hormone levels from perimenopause means she only needs to wash her hair a few times per week. After age 65, depending on the amount of oil her scalp produces, her hair may only need washing once a week. Keep in mind, once women reach menopause, body and scalp hair loss progresses gradually, facial hair tends to increase and thicken.
💄 Makeup:
Makeup can also carry emotional meaning because it may be tied to her self-image or our need to avoid loss. In the early stages, she may only need reminders or someone applying makeup alongside her so she can copy the motions. Later, she may use too much product, apply it unevenly, forget what items are for, or lose interest altogether. Once she’s reached the moderate stage, just give her a little lip color.
🪒 Shaving:
Shaving is optional. Once a woman is in the moderate stages of dementia it may not be worth the battle.
When you are finished with personal care tell her how wonderful she looks. Positive comments go a long way toward a good day.
Tracy Cram Perkins, Author — author of Dementia Home Care, How to Prepare Before, During and After. "