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| Halloween for All Ages |
| Tracey Cousineau LSW-C; Outreach Manager |
| October 25 2007 |
Jack-o'-lanterns, trick-or-treaters, haunted houses and
costume parties - Halloween is full of fun things for you and your
family to enjoy.
But, Halloween can also be a stressful time, especially for the elderly
who live at home alone, or for those with dementia.
Noise, people coming to the door and the possibility of pranks
make it important to prepare your loved one for trick or treat time.
Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing for the
frightfully fun festivities and help ensure everyone in your family,
including your pets, have an enjoyable Halloween.
Remind your loved one when
Halloween is near.
When you don’t have children at home, the “holidays” that was
once a part of your life, aren’t always on your mind anymore.
Pitch in and help with a few
decorations.
Make sure your loved one has something festive to wear if they choose,
even if it’s just a shirt or a hat.
Ask what kinds of decorations are preferred, some people may
prefer “fall” themed decor while others get in the spirit with witches
and ghosts. Making
Halloween crafts together
might also be a good way to spend time with your loved one.
Be sure to assist in clearing the yard and sidewalk of any
obstacles or decorations that may be hard for trick or treaters to see
in the dark.
Ask if they’d like to be home
on trick or treat night.
Some people may enjoy the kids coming to the door, while others
don’t. Remind them that a
well lit porch indicates someone is home to give out candy.
Discuss what to do if the candy runs out and how to report any
suspicious activity to the police department.
Depending on their level of
independence, consider having someone at home with them to assist with
the visitors, or invite them to your house for an early dinner and an
evening of enjoying the children in their costumes.
If you live far from your elderly
relative, perhaps a neighbor or someone from church would be willing to
keep them company, or invite them over for the festivities.
Be sure to issue a reminder to double check locks and outdoor
possessions if they are going to be away from home that night.
Choose Halloween candy
carefully.
Many
elderly people enjoy giving out candy to trick or treaters, but remember
any leftover candy will remain in the house with them.
Consider any health issues such as diabetes when choosing candy
and other treats. If sweets
are an issue, consider passing out pencils, stickers, or small toys.
Be aware when making
Halloween purchases,
that some small toys, gum,
peanuts, or hard candies could cause choking hazards to young children
under six.
Halloween candy can be expensive.
If you are able, offer to assist an elderly relative or neighbor
with their candy purchase, especially if they live in a neighborhood
with lots of children.
Keep your pets
in a quiet place, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween
activities.
We know that the
miniature monsters and goblins that come knocking on Halloween are not
real, but pets don't. Dogs
and cats are creatures of habit and could become frightened or agitated
by the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors.
In addition, frequently opened doors provide a perfect
opportunity for escape, which can go unnoticed during all the commotion.
Be sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case of an
accidental getaway. Lastly,
keep decorations that pets could chew on, such as streamers, fake spider
webs, wires and cords out of reach.
Soon our streets will be scattered with little ghosts, goblins
and witches trick or treating this Halloween.
With a little planning and attention to
safety, Halloween can be fun for people of all ages.