While Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for many people, there are some who don’t care for the holiday. If your elderly relative gets stressed and worried about Halloween, you must take steps to alleviate their concerns. With age, many seniors become uneasy with the idea of Halloween, from strangers coming to the door to the scary imagery and costumes.
It may be impossible to completely shield your aging loved one from Halloween festivities, but you can do a lot to minimize the impact of the holiday on their worries and fears. Here are just a few ideas that you, family members, friends, and elder care providers can implement to help aging adults that don’t like Halloween.
Minimize Decorations
Some people go all out in decorating their homes for Halloween. Your aging relative may not want to do so, or perhaps just the bare minimum. There are plenty of whimsical Halloween decorations that might work. Or, you can stick with a fall or harvest theme that is more general. Some seniors worry about open flames in jack ‘o lanterns causing a fire, and they are right to worry. If your aging relative wants to light pumpkins, there are battery-powered candles to use.
Avoiding Trick or Treaters
For many seniors, the thought of strangers coming to the door over and over worries them greatly. They may feel scared or helpless, or merely annoyed. To deal with trick or treaters, you or an elder care provider can take on candy distribution duties while the elderly adult rests. Another option is to set a candy bowl and a sign by the front door, so trick or treaters can help themselves. Also, if there are no outdoor decorations and the outside lights are off, it’s usually enough to signal trick or treaters to skip the house.
Halloween Parties and Events
Many people host Halloween parties and events, from friends and family to community centers. If your elderly relative really doesn’t care for the imagery or it is triggering in some way, you can do a lot to help them avoid it. If they normally go grocery shopping, but the stores are all decorated, volunteer to do it for them or ask the elder care provider to go alone. Focus on family-friendly Halloween gatherings, where the atmosphere is child-friendly and not likely to have disturbing images or costumes.
Being Alone
For many reasons, Halloween is simply scary for many seniors. The days are getting shorter and the weather turns colder, bringing more storms and strange noises. Many elderly adults feel uneasy and worried about mischief or crime on and around Halloween. If your aging relative is quite nervous about being alone, arrange for yourself, family members or an elder care provider to stay with them. Senior homes are often targeted for break-ins, so having another person around to show activity is a wonderful way to keep problems at bay.
For elder care in Southern NJ and the surrounding areas, call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions (856) 321-1500.
