Halloween Without the Fright: Joyful Celebrations for Residents with Dementia
Halloween means scary fun for many people, but it can be upsetting and confusing for people living with dementia. This doesn’t mean senior living and long-term care communities can’t celebrate. It calls for careful consideration and meeting these individuals where they are. Here are some tips for a fun Halloween that is safe and comfortable for people living with dementia:
To create a comfortable environment, consider the types of decorations used. Tone down the ‘spooky.’ Avoid scary decorations such as lifelike witches or monsters and haunted house sound effects. Spiders, even cartoonish ones, can be frightening, particularly for residents who have a fear of arachnids. Stick to non-threatening items such as happy-faced pumpkins and orange and black balloons.
Keep decorations simple. An overabundance of decorations can be overwhelming, especially when it makes hallways or other spaces look very different from how they normally do.
Next, think about the timing of your celebrations. Schedule activities during the day. This is when people with dementia are likely to be more alert and less agitated.
Keep activities simple, for example, decorating pumpkins with non-toxic paint and stickers, painting pictures using Halloween-themed stencils, or decorating cookies with Halloween-themed icing and sprinkles. Ask residents (who are able) to share stories about their favorite Halloween from the past or have them share a favorite Halloween tradition.
To further ensure a fun experience, celebrate with light entertainment. Have a sing-along with Halloween-themed tunes like Monster Mash and Purple People Eater, and play music such as the theme from The Munsters, The Addams Family, and Harry Potter. Show family-friendly movies and shows like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Monsters, Inc., and Casper.
Maintain a sense of familiarity. Change can be very stressful for people living with dementia, so limit the decorations you add to resident rooms and keep items like photos and knick-knacks in their place. In common areas, arrange decorations around the current décor; that is, don’t rearrange furniture or move plants or other items.
For staff: Keep costumes simple. If staff want to dress up, they should avoid masks, face paint, wigs, or other items that could confuse or frighten residents.
Safety first! Keep hallways clear and well-lit. Avoid decorations that people can bump into or trip over. Keep lights simple so they don’t impede vision.
Family and Halloween go hand in hand, so include family members in activities and special events. However, remind them to avoid scary costumes, masks, and face makeup that can upset their loved ones or others. Bring in families for a Saturday afternoon Halloween matinee with popcorn balls or treat bags, or have a “Great Pumpkin Day” where kids can help residents decorate pumpkins, share pumpkin-shaped cookies, and enjoy orange-colored juices or drinks.
Even though you’ve created a positive but fun environment for Halloween, have staff watch residents for any negative reactions, signs of agitation, or changes in behavior. Be prepared to remove any decorations that are upsetting one or more residents. While most people enjoy a good scare now and then, people living with dementia may have different perceptions and views of the world. What seems mild or fun to you may be frightening or even traumatic for them.
Contact our interior department at 512-231-1910.
