Halloween in Care Environments
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Halloween can pose specific difficulties for people living with a dementia. Disorientation, confusion, fear and anxiety can often become part of a person’s presentations, due to decorations, music and sound they hear within their environment.
Photo courtesy of Pexels
Here are some things to be aware of
Confusion & Disorientation – The unusual sights and sounds associated with Halloween, such as costumes, decorations and animated sounds people can make – can lead to increased anxiety or distress.
Strangers & Social Interactions - some people with a dementia may struggle to recognise familiar faces and engaging with costumed individuals may be particularly unsettling.
Impacts on mobility – again, decorations (spiders, ghosts, wires etc) can pose significant hazard if people feel unsure and wish to seek another area of the home but they may have mobility issues.
Overstimulation – the noise from Halloween activities, including music may overwhelm someone with a dementia.
Changes in routines/Environments – Halloween can often disrupt normal everyday routines, and often we find that the changes to the interiors of a care home for example with decorations are quick and can impacts on a person ability to understand where they are.
Therefore, here are some recommendations:
Autumnal decorations – help with orientation and can have a more settling affect.
Create a calm environment – limit exposure to overwhelming stimuli.
Maintain Routine – try to keep daily routines consistent to provide a sense of stability.
Monitor Interactions – if Halloween activities are taking place, be with individuals and monitor their presentation and offer reassurance if needed.
Fear vs Care – we should promote an environment which instils empathic care, never fear.
