Beauty

Why Hair Salons Are Essential for Residents of Senior Residing Communities

Allure


When Arthur Nektalov took a break from doing hair at Brookdale Battery Park Metropolis, some residents of the senior dwelling neighborhood in downtown Manhattan revolted. Nektalov, who’d been working there part-time for about 5 years, had determined to pivot and deal with his personal salon, simply two blocks away. The Brookdale workers introduced in a brand new firm to do the residents’ hair, however as Nektalov places it, “they did not prefer it.” As a substitute of adjusting to the brand new in-house stylists, these loyal Brookdale shoppers — most of their 80s and 90s — began trekking up Greenwich Road to see him, even “within the wintertime, [with] rain and snow.”

Two years later, Nektalov closed his salon and returned to being Brookdale’s full-time, in-house stylist. He is been there for a complete of 18 years, providing blowouts, haircuts, coloration companies, and most significantly in keeping with his shoppers, camaraderie.

“For a girl, her hair defines her typically,” says Sondra Inexperienced, 95, a former drama professor and actor, who’s lived at Brookdale for 9 years and sees Nektalov each different week for a blow-dry, haircut, or each. (She can be, in her phrases, “assiduous a couple of manicure and pedicure,” receiving these companies each 10 days with out fail.) “Arthur’s been doing hair for years and years and years, and he has the persistence of a saint, and he’ll hearken to you.” 

Barbara Fields, a former mannequin and vogue entrepreneur, moved to Brookdale in June 2021. She appreciates that, in contrast to different stylists she’s labored with, Nektalov isn’t “a prima donna.”