Helping Your Senior Enjoy a Safe and Spooky Halloween

Halloween is a festive time, but it can also be nerve-wracking for an elderly loved one who lives alone. Your senior may be nervous about having groups of strangers appear at their door and notice that they’re by themselves. There’s also a risk of falls as the elderly individual rushes to get a bowl of candy to hand out to eager trick-or-treaters. To help an elderly loved one stay safe as they enjoy the holiday, keep these tips in mind:

Ask a friend, relative, or neighbor for help

Seniors who want to participate in the trick-or-treating fun but need some assistance can ask a friend, relative, or neighbor for help. This person can assist with purchasing candy and answering the door. Your senior will still get to enjoy all of the costumes, but won’t have to worry about rushing back and forth when the doorbell rings.

Enjoy the day somewhere else

Home care professionals advise seniors who don’t feel up to greeting trick-or-treaters to spend the evening with someone else. This way an elderly individual can take in the creative costumes without having to deal with the responsibility.

Don’t invite unknown trick-or-treaters in

If someone asks to come in and use the bathroom or get a drink, a senior should politely decline. They can explain that they have company and that now is not a good time, then suggest that the trick-or-treater visit another home where there are multiple adults. Your elderly loved one shouldn’t worry about being rude to those who visit their house; safety is always the top priority.

Don’t just keep the house dark

If your senior doesn’t want to answer the door for trick-or-treaters, discourage them from just turning off all of the lights in their home. Senior care professionals explain that this can make the house a target for thieves or vandals. Instead they can switch off the porch light to indicate that candy is not available, or they can simply choose not to answer the door.

While Halloween is a festive time, it’s important that an elderly individual knows how to stay safe as they enjoy the candy, costumes, and fun. Before October 31st rolls around, make sure your elderly loved one has everything they need to safely enjoy the celebration.