How To Give A Perfect Manicure

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When new volunteers start at the nursing home, they often ask for suggestions as to activities they can do with the residents. One idea I recommend is providing manicures.

This is an excellent activity because it makes the residents feel pampered. Also, especially if you’re a new volunteer and feel uneasy about chatting with residents, it helps when you can focus on a task like a manicure.

That being said, I’m often surprised at how many volunteers tell me they don’t feel comfortable giving a resident a manicure. But then I need to remind myself that I was taught how to do them decades ago as a 14-year-old candy striper.

For people who haven’t had a manicure themselves or those who have never done one before, I can see where it could be intimidating. That’s why today I’m offering tips to help volunteers feel more comfortable when doing manicures in a nursing home.

Honor resident preferences

If a resident isn’t able to express their preference for a manicure, be sure to check with the nursing or activity staff before proceeding. Sometimes wearing nail polish isn’t in line with their religious beliefs. Or, perhaps they never liked nail polish.

I remember encountering an angry daughter at a memory care unit where I once worked as a nurse. She arrived to find little Halloween icons painted on her mom’s nails. While the designs were cute, and I’m sure the volunteer meant well, this was not at all in line with the resident’s history.

Many of our residents come from a tradition of always painting their fingernails one solid color. The exception might have been an occasional French manicure. Today we have so many unique nail products and designs available. If your resident would like to try something new, then go ahead and have fun with it.

Safety and infection control

In most nursing homes, volunteers cannot clip a resident’s fingernails. However, you can usually file them using an emery board. Also, never trim a resident’s cuticles. While professionals might do this at a nail salon, it can easily lead to infections in the elderly.

Speaking of infections, be careful as you move from one resident to the next while doing manicures. Know the facility’s policies regarding such things as hand washing, sharing of supplies, and cleaning equipment.

How to give a manicure

1. Begin by removing any old nail polish. The best way to do this is to saturate a cotton ball with polish remover. Press the cotton ball onto the nail for a few seconds to loosen the polish before wiping it away.

Acetone based nail polish removers work the best. However, they are harsher on nails and can dry out sensitive skin around the nails. Many non-acetone brands are available, although it will take more work to remove the polish.

2. Residents often enjoy having their hands soaked before a manicure. You don’t want to soak nails too long because this can cause them to absorb moisture resulting in the polish not staying on as long. However, a 5-minute soak feels relaxing and adds to the pampering effect. This also makes it easier to clean underneath the nails.

Begin with a basin of comfortably warm water. You can add a few drops of mild soap. Essential oils are nice, too, because they add a lovely scent to the experience. However, check with the nurse before using essential oils as some residents may have allergies. You can also create a more spa-like experience by sprinkling a few flower petals on top of the water.

3. After drying the hands thoroughly, file them with an emery board. Avoid metal fingernail files as these can damage the nails. In addition, you can clean gently underneath the nails using an orangewood stick.

4. If time allows, you’ll want to apply 3 thin coats of polish. The first is a clear base coat. This prevents darker polish from staining the nails and it helps the regular polish go on more evenly. It also makes the manicure last longer.

5. After you’re sure the base coat is dry, next comes the fun part. Now you and the resident can choose colors, designs, and nail embellishments. My favorite place to go for creative ideas is Pinterest.

Try to apply the polish in 3 smooth stripes from the base of the nail to the tip. If you repeatedly brush over the polish, it will smudge.

6. Finally, you’ll want to apply a top coat. This helps prevent the polish from chipping. I like to keep a few cotton swabs on hand to use at this point in the manicure. Dipped in nail polish remover, they allow you to wipe away any stray wisps of polish.

Each successive layer of polish seems to take a bit longer to dry. This can be a challenge, especially if a resident’s hands are shaky or if they have difficulty remembering not to move their hands before the polish dries.

A couple of products may help with this issue. One is quick-drying nail polish. (This brand is my personal favorite.) Sprays are also available to help polish dry more quickly, although I haven’t had a lot of success with these products. (If you know of a brand that works well, please share it in the comment section!)

A final touch

Many residents enjoy having their hands gently massaged with lotion after you complete the manicure and the polish is completely dry.

 

What other suggestions can you offer for doing manicures in a nursing home setting? Please share your ideas in the comment section!

 

If you enjoyed this article, I know you’ll enjoy reading about this group of young people who bring beauty into the lives of seniors by providing manicures and makeovers.