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. We have highlighted some Halloween fun that is safe and comfortable for people living with dementia in our recent article.

Here’s the dilemma. We’ve seen firsthand how physically and mentally damaging social isolation can be on seniors, but—at least for the foreseeable future—we can’t go back to in-person visits, group activities, concerts, and crowded dining halls.

Senior living communities have worked valiantly to ensure that their properties are safe and comfortable for residents and staff alike during the COVID pandemic. This presents both challenges and opportunities.

If you think back to the last couple of rooms that you walked through, what do you remember?  Stagnant white walls?  Or do you recall patterns, changes in lighting, or brightly colored cushions?