Author and social commentator Fran Leibowitz once said, “You’re only as good as your last haircut.” For most of us, personal grooming is an essential part of our daily routine and of sustaining our self-confidence. And there’s no reason for that to change as we get older, even if we become more dependent on others or change our living environment. In fact, a recent piece from writer Suzanne Matson in The New York Times remarks upon her commitment to her mother that she would never let her become “one of those little old bearded ladies in the nursing home.”

It’s now common for independent and assisted living facilities, and even nursing homes, to have salon services for residents who want to sustain their grooming routines- be it haircuts, shaves or nail care. There are even outside services that contract with facilities to provide that support.

To bring home the importance of appearance to those often considered invisible, take a look at this powerful video of several residents of RiverWalk, an independent living facility in the Bronx that provides full salon services for regular grooming maintenance. It’s a center of social connection in the facility and a source of support for the residents who want, and need, to maintain their sense of self, and appearance, as they navigate their senior years.