Preparing for a dementia-friendly Halloween helps to ensure that older adults with dementia can
participate in the festivities without feeling overwhelmed or frightened. While Halloween can be a
joyous time for many, the scary costumes, extra visitors, and spooky decorations can create agitation and fear for those living with dementia.
If your loved one lives at home and might be disturbed by Halloween revelers, there are steps you can take to make the evening more dementia-friendly.
Consider turning off your porch light to discourage trick-or-treaters if you believe that the constant ringing of the doorbell will be too much.
Another less disruptive way to participate in the festivities is by placing a bowl of candy at the front door with a note that says, “Please take one.”
If your loved one resides in a long-term care facility, it’s important to consider whether they would enjoy or feel anxious about the extra guests, children in costumes, and staff Halloween parades that often take place.
To ensure a dementia-friendly Halloween, here are some additional tips:
Set Realistic Expectations: Be mindful of what your loved one can handle and plan accordingly.
Communicate Plans: Discuss the holiday plans in simple terms. If you’re attending a party or a Halloween parade, provide a brief overview without going into too much detail.
Be Flexible: Be prepared to change plans if necessary. If a Halloween event is too much, consider a quieter activity, such as a drive to see fall foliage or a visit to a local pumpkin patch during non-peak hours.
Avoid Real Candles: Use battery-operated candles or lights to prevent accidents.
Safe Decorating: Place pumpkins and mums on tables to avoid trip hazards and limit decorations that might cause confusion or agitation.
Minimize Noise: Avoid floor mats that make sounds, voice-activated scary decorations, and tapes or CDs with unsettling noises like creaking doors and ghostly screams.
Opt for Non-Scary Decor: Instead of ghosts, goblins, and witches, use pumpkins, fall leaves, and other non-threatening decorations. Replace spooky sounds with upbeat Halloween music.
Monitor Sugar Intake: Keep sugary treats out of sight until Halloween night and offer healthier alternatives, such as fruit or caramel apples. Supervise if your loved one is handing out candy to children.
Create New Memories: Engage in activities like baking pumpkin pie, decorating cookies, painting pumpkins, or carving pumpkins together. These can be dementia-friendly Halloween traditions that the whole family can enjoy.
By following these tips, you can create a dementia-friendly Halloween that is enjoyable for everyone. The key is patience and adapting to your loved one's needs. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
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