While turning off the outside lights may keep the doorbell from ringing; the chatter of children passing by on the sidewalks and the sound of increased traffic on the street coming at sundown can create a great deal of stress in someone with dementia.
Here are a few suggestions to help ease your loved one into the holiday:
Color a Halloween picture each day leading up to Halloween. http://www.coloring.ws/halloween.html – click on the link for downloadable coloring pages.
Share old photos of his children in costume and ask him to tell you stories about their trick or treat adventures.
Together make simple Halloween mask for the children or grandchildren and one for each of you.
Put together some simple and fun Halloween treats:
The Witch Hat Cookies
What you will need:
- Keebler Elf Striped Cookies
- Hershey’s Kisses
- Vanilla Frosting
- Orange Food Coloring
Recipe:
- Mix Vanilla Frosting with orange food coloring, put the frosting in a zip lock bag, and cut off the corner to make a piping bag.
- Flip over the Keebler Elf Cookie and apply a nickel sized portion of frosting.
- Press the Hershey’s Kiss down onto the frosting and cookie.
- Let harden, and enjoy!
People with dementia enjoy music from their past. Listen to some playful Halloween music and share memories of sock hops and parties they attended.
Purple People Eater
Monster Mash
Witch Doctor (Ooh Eeh Ooh Ah AAh Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang)
Addams Family Theme Song
If none of this is possible for you, that’s okay. Give yourself a treat and refuse to feel guilty. You are faced with plenty to deal with every day. Blessed Be.
The Imperfect Caregiver 
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