safe halloween
Picture of halloween glowing pumpkins border, three orange carved pumpkins and old dry leaves on wooden background, scary holiday shadow, traditional halloween decoration, jack-o-lantern
Spooky sights, scary sounds, and costumed strangers are staples of Halloween, but these can create unique challenges for individuals living with dementia. With October 31 approaching, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering tips to family caregivers to help loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses celebrate Halloween in a safe, dementia-friendly manner.
“The imagery and sounds associated with Halloween—like ghosts, witches, and monsters—can be distressing and confusing for someone living with dementia, which is why caregivers need to be prepared,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Senior Director of Educational & Social Services. “Taking a few proactive steps ahead of October 31 can ensure their loved ones feel safe, secure, and included during the festivities and help keep the ‘Happy’ in ‘Happy Halloween.’”
AFA advises family caregivers to consider the following tips:
- Avoid interactive or disturbing decorations. Decorations that speak, scream, or have spooky sound effects as someone passes by can be distressing for those living with dementia. The sights and sounds of noisy decorative figures, as well as decorations with flashing or flickering lights, could cause the individual to wander, even away from their home. Fake skeletons, cobwebs, and witch and monster figures could be upsetting for those living with a cognitive impairment. These things are perceived as real. Utilize more neutral seasonal decorations, such as pumpkins, apples or fall leaves.
- Help the person relax. Halloween is full of distractions and stimuli; costumed strangers in the environment and loud noises can all be frightening to someone living with dementia. Playing soothing music, doing a quiet activity such as reading a book together, and calming reassurance are all ways to support your loved one if they become agitated.
- Adapt the celebration. Replace candy with fruit or another healthy snack, as too much sugar intake could increase agitation. Reminisce by looking at old family pictures of Halloween events, decorating pumpkins together, or watching a non-threatening program about Halloween if your loved one wants to participate. Focus on what the person can and likes to do now, rather than what they used to enjoy and do.
- Don’t leave your loved one alone to pass out candy. Having costumed strangers continually knocking on the door might be frightening and confusing to someone living with a dementia-related illness. It can also be a safety risk. Post a friendly sign if you want trick-or-treaters to bypass your home. If the person wants to participate in giving out candy, have someone there to help them, or plan for the person to go to a relative or friend’s home to meet trick or treaters. Never invite someone into the home unless you are familiar with the person.
- Keep the lights on. A dark home gives the impression that no one is inside, thus making it more inviting for burglars or vandals. Have interior and exterior lights lit. If it feels safer, keep candy outside your door for trick-or-treaters with a sign that says, “Please Take One.”
Families who have questions about caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease can contact AFA’s Helpline by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), or webchat (www.alzfdn.org) to speak with a licensed social worker. The Helpline is open seven days a week.