Halloween can be fun for children and families, but it also brings some unusual sights and sounds to the front door. Costumes, masks, repeated doorbell rings, unfamiliar voices and decorations that look perfectly harmless to us may feel confusing or unsettling to someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
If an aging loved one with dementia lives at home, a little preparation can make October 31 feel much more like a normal evening.
Before Trick or Treating Begins
Consider making a few changes based on what you know about your loved one and how they typically respond to changes in their surroundings:
- Keep decorations familiar and simple. Flashing lights, moving decorations, fake people or frightening figures may be difficult for someone with dementia to interpret.
- Limit the doorbell. If repeated ringing tends to cause agitation, consider sitting outside to hand out candy, placing a bowl outside or turning off the porch light when you are finished participating.
- Stick with the normal routine. Try to keep dinner, medications and bedtime at their usual times rather than reorganizing the evening around Halloween.
- Be thoughtful about costumes. Masks and elaborate costumes can make familiar family members suddenly appear unfamiliar. If grandchildren are visiting, consider having them show Grandma or Grandpa their costumes before putting on masks or face coverings.
- Create a quieter place to retreat. A familiar room with a favorite television program, music or activity can provide some distance from the activity outside.
- Follow their lead. Some people living with dementia may enjoy seeing children in costumes and handing out candy. Others may find the evening overwhelming. There is no need to force participation simply because it is a holiday.
Halloween does not necessarily need to be avoided because a loved one has dementia. It may simply need to look a little different.
The best approach is often the one that preserves the parts of the holiday your loved one enjoys while reducing unnecessary confusion. Familiar surroundings, familiar people and a familiar routine can go a long way toward making Halloween feel comfortable at home.
