Person-centred haircuts for clients receiving palliative and end-of-life care
There are some appointments that stay with you.
Not because of the haircut…
But because of the person.
A couple of years ago, I was contacted by someone in my local village.
She was coming home from Stoke Mandeville Hospital and was receiving end-of-life care.
Her family had asked if I could visit.
They weren’t entirely sure what could be done.
And if I’m honest, neither was I.
When I arrived, it was a beautiful, sunny day.
She was in a hospital bed in her front room, facing out into her garden through open doors.
There were bright tulips in bloom, and the light filled the space.
Her family were kind, but understandably unsure;
unsure how to act, what to say, or what would help.
And very quickly, it became clear…
This wasn’t about a haircut.
She was too weak to lift her head from the pillow.
So instead, I sat beside her.
We talked gently.
About the garden.
About the flowers.
About how she was feeling.
At one point, she took my hand and said quietly,
“I want to die.” I quietly acknowledged her solid statement.
It was a moment that could feel difficult to hear.
But what I felt, more than anything, was that she was ready.
And perhaps she just needed a space where she could say that out loud.
So we kept things simple.
A gentle head massage.
A little dry shampoo.
Soft, careful movements, always checking in.
And something shifted.
Her eyes closed, her breathing slowed.
Her body softened.
There was a visible sense of calm that hadn’t been there before.
It wasn’t about changing how she looked dramatically.
It was about helping her feel like herself.
She wore a beautiful nightdress.
A string of pearls.
Even in those final days, she clearly cared about how she presented herself to the world.
By the end of the visit, she looked peaceful.
Settled.
At ease.
Four days later, she passed away.
I sometimes walk through the local churchyard, and pause by her resting place.
Just for a moment.
Because that appointment reminded me of something I carry into every visit I do:
This work is never just about hair.
It’s about dignity.
It’s about care and comfort.
It’s about being respectful of the client and their loved ones.
It’s about meeting someone exactly where they are, both physically and emotionally.
Whether someone is:
- recovering
- living with a condition
- feeling anxious
- or nearing the end of their life
The goal is the same.
To help them feel calm.
To help them feel themselves.
And to ensure they feel cared for, in every sense of the word.
At Blaker’s Blades, that’s what matters most.
