Spooky sights, scary sounds and costumed strangers are staples of Halloween, but these can create challenges for individuals living with dementia. With Oct. 31 approaching, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering advice to family caregivers to help loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses celebrate Halloween safely.
Consider the following tips:
- Avoid interactive or disturbing decorations. Decor that speaks, screams or has spooky sound effects can be distressing for those living with dementia. These sights and sounds, as well as decorations with flashing or flickering lights, could cause the individual to wander, even away from their homes. Fake skeletons, cobwebs and monster figures could also be upsetting. These things are perceived as real. Utilize more neutral decorations, such as pumpkins, apples or leaves.
- Help the person relax. Halloween is full of distractions and stimuli; costumed strangers and loud noises can be frightening to someone living with dementia. Playing soothing music, doing a quiet activity such as reading and calming reassurance are all ways to support your loved one.
- Adapt the celebration. Replace candy with fruit or another healthy snack, as too much sugar intake could increase agitation. Reminisce by looking at family pictures of Halloween events, decorating pumpkins or watching a nonthreatening program about Halloween. Focus on what the person likes to do now, rather than what he or she used to 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. It can also be a safety risk. Post a friendly sign if you want trick-or-treaters to skip your house. If your patient wants to participate in giving out candy, have someone there to help or plan for him or her to go to a relative’s or friend’s home. Never invite someone into the residence unless you are familiar with the individual.
- Keep the lights on. A dark home gives the impression that no one is inside, making it more inviting for burglars or vandals. Have interior and exterior lights lit. If it feels safer, keep candy outside with a sign that says, “Please take one.”
For information, call 866-232-8484 or visit alzfdn.org.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
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