Follow these Halloween safety tips for those with dementia to ease any fear and anxiety that may be experienced.

Halloween can be so much fun for all ages! Older adults typically love visits from children trick-or-treating, delicious seasonal treats, and fun decorations. However, for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, Halloween can be downright terrifying. All of a sudden, their world includes unexpected surprises, visitors, and changes to routine, all while struggling to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. It’s why implementing Halloween safety tips for those with dementia is so important.

Think of it this way: Without having any idea what Halloween is, you step into your favorite store and are confronted with spooky inflatables, cackling witches, huge spiders, and more. As you venture further into the store, you see shelves filled with scary masks, fake blood, and machetes. Has the world gone crazy?

It’s completely understandable that confusion, anxiety, and fear are elevated for someone with dementia this time of year, and it’s essential for family members to help loved ones maintain a sense of calm and routine. Alzheimer’s Universe [JL1] provides the following recommendations:

• Limit decorations in the person’s home, or skip them altogether. In particular, anything with flashing lights or unusual noises can cause someone with dementia to be fearful enough to try to leave the home.
• If trick-or-treaters may cause agitation for the person, set a bowl of candy out on the porch with a note for children to take one. You may even want to turn the porch light off and skip handing out candy this year.
• If possible, and if it’s something the person may be comfortable with, consider taking them to visit a friend or family member who lives in a remote area without trick-or-treaters.
• If the person lives alone, make sure someone is staying with them that evening: a family member, friend, or professional caregiver from Home Matters Caregiving.

If the person still becomes upset or agitated in spite of these precautions, try:

• Helping the person move into a different room for a distraction from the cause of agitation.
• Turning on some quiet, calming music and bringing out an activity the person enjoys.
• Communicating in a soft, soothing voice, letting the person know they are safe and that all is well.

With a little pre-planning and preparation, a loved one with dementia can remain content and calm during the Halloween season. Our specially trained care team is always on hand to help as well, with patient, compassionate, and skilled in-home dementia care services.