We’ve got lots of ideas to make Halloween fun for those who love it, and easier to manage for those who don’t.
Halloween might be a much bigger occasion than it was when your loved one with dementia was younger, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy it.
Here’s some spooky activities the whole family can enjoy.
3 simple ideas
1. Bobbing for apples – If traditional apple bobbing is too difficult, try to vary it by providing apples in a bowl of water, then asking everyone to scoop them out with a spoon or ladle.
2. Strawberry ghouls – If the person you care for enjoys making things in the kitchen, you could get together to make strawberry ghouls. Simply hull a punnet of strawberries, put a cocktail stick in the wider end of the strawberry and then dip in melted white chocolate. Before the chocolate has fully set, add chopped up pieces of dark chocolate or raisin to create eyes and a nose. You could also use a tube of dark icing if that’s easier.
3. Spider web making – Bend black or white pipe cleaners into the shape of a star, with between six and eight ‘points’. Then using white or black wool, wind it around each of the ‘points’ in a circle to create a spider’s web. Add one final piece of wool to the top of the web and hang it from the window – spiders optional!
4 tips to ease anxiety
1. If you’ve invited people over, keep the numbers down. People with dementia can become agitated and worried by too many unfamiliar people. If possible, opt instead for a family party.
2. Halloween costumes can be particularly frightening for people with dementia who may take them literary…Just imagine how you might feel if you saw a vampire walking into your home? Warn everyone not to wear masks or face-obscuring make-up. Instead, try to suggest they wear brightly coloured fun costumes or Halloween t-shirts if they still want to dress up.
3. Making Halloween decorations? Bear in mind that some people with dementia can become startled by scary decorations, so it’s important to tone them down, or remove them altogether, especially if they’re draped over doors or floors and could become a tripping hazard.
4. Be prepared for trick or treaters. People living with dementia can find the whole ‘trick or treat’ experience stressful and frightening, particularly if they live alone. Try putting up a sign outside saying the door won’t be answered. If you’re worried that won’t be enough, it’s probably best to make sure the person you care about doesn’t spend the night alone.
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