Backstory
From Root to Recovery was inspired by my grandmother’s experience throughout her years in hospitals and long term care settings while living with cancer, and dementia. During this time, I witnessed how something as deeply personal as haircare often became neglected due to illness, fatigue, and the demands of treatment. Watching her gradually lose the ability to maintain her hair health revealed the emotional impact that these sudden changes have on dignity and overall wellbeing. My grandmother looked after and supported my family and I until 2023, and From Root to Recovery aims to help patients just like my grandmother, to ensure they feel dignified and confident.
-Claire
Inside the Hospital
Through volunteer experiences at Calgary hospitals, we became aware of how common neglected haircare is among inpatients experiencing prolonged hospitalization or intensive treatment. Speaking with patients and observing the realities of hospital environments revealed that haircare is still overlooked despite its strong connection to comfort, dignity, and self esteem. Many patients described spending the majority of their day in bed due to exhaustion, limited mobility, or the physical demands of treatment. Over time, prolonged immobility and limited access to proper hair maintenance can lead to severe tangling, matting, scalp discomfort, and hair thinning. These circumstances are rarely a matter of choice, but the result of illness and the unseen challenges associated with long-term care. Regardless of hair texture or health condition, we believe every patient deserves access to compassionate and accessible haircare support. Confronting this care gap is part of improving patient care.
-FRTR Team