Volunteer Shares Time, Care and Conversation

At The Salvation Army’s Lakeview Manor, a nursing home in Riverview, N.B., residents have the opportunity to cut and style their hair each week. Helping make the experience more efficient and enjoyable is Nora, a dedicated volunteer who has assisted the hairdresser for years.

“I bring the clients over, get them under the dryer, remove their curls, stuff like that,” Nora says.

“We talk and laugh all the time because they know me.”

Her support allows the hairdresser to serve more residents in less time. Within three hours, they can see 12 to 13 clients.

Nora also keeps track of the residents’ past haircuts so staff can reach out when it’s time for a trim or restyle. She has been volunteering with The Salvation Army for over a decade, initially getting involved thanks to encouragement from her sister-in-law, a former director at Lakeview Manor. Nora has been helping ever since.

For years, she came in four days a week, helping run activities for seniors. This enabled her to get acquainted with many residents, which has been useful to this day.

“I have very good contact with residents. We talk and laugh all the time because they know me,” Nora says. “I have a lot of fun with them. They all have something special.”

“People need to realize how rewarding it is and how much fun you can have.”

The staff at Lakeview Manor strive to provide seniors with the best care possible, focusing on both their physical health and emotional well-being. Weekly grooming services offer residents a boost in confidence and comfort.

“Residents should be able to enjoy the same quality of life they had before coming here,” Nora says. “Some used to go to the hairdresser regularly, so it’s important they still have that.”

Although retired, Nora leads an active life and says the connection with residents keeps her coming back each week.

“I wish more people would volunteer. People need to realize how rewarding it is and how much fun you can have.”

By Juan Romero