A haircut can boost self-esteem and provide a new outlook on life, which is exactly what happened with 89-year-old Ethyl Berkwitz, a resident of Country Villa Terrace Assisted Living on Pico Boulevard.

(photo courtesy of Country Villa Terrace Assisted Living)

Berkwitz has been living at Country Villa Terrace for more than five years, but had refused to allow the facility’s beautician to cut her hair, according to activities director Linda Goldfinger. Prior to moving to Country Villa Terrace, Berkwitz for years had gone to a Santa Monica-based beautician named David Dickson, and always said, “no one can cut my hair like David”, Goldfinger said.

“I asked who used to cut her hair, and she gave me his card,” Goldfinger added. “I got in touch and he agreed to come down here to surprise her and cut her hair. We have a beautician on-site, and he was able to use her station. They had a long relationship, so it was very nice.”

When Berkwitz saw Dickson arrive, she began crying. Goldfinger said Dickson was also close to tears.

“I thought I would go to the box with my hair the way it was,” Berkwitz said. “I never expected others to be so kind. I’m ecstatic.”

Goldfinger said Berkwitz now has a fashionable new hairstyle and is also more upbeat. She added that the resident was so proud that she was walking around the facility all day, showing off her new hairstyle.

“It was just great,” Goldfinger added. “It was very nice to do something like this for her.”