With October now underway, Canadians are anticipating two very special annual occasions. Firstly, allow us to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving long weekend! Beginning on Saturday, October 11, this yearly celebration reminds us to be thankful for what we have. We hope you’re surrounded by loved ones during the holiday.
Of course, Friday, October 31 brings us Halloween! Associated with fun costumes, trick-or-treaters, pumpkins and spooky decorations, Halloween can be exciting for most people. Yet for many older adults, the holiday can also raise unexpected emotional challenges. This is especially true for those dealing with health, mobility or cognitive issues.
Unexpected change is unsettling.
Many seniors thrive on routine. Things like mealtimes, daily walks and familiar home settings come to mind. Halloween brings odd occurrences like trick-or-treating in the evening. It also involves altered lighting via decorations and flashing lights. As well, we can’t forget all of that extra noise. For many older adults, it can all feel destabilizing.
Zenya Smith of the UK’s Elder points out that “routine is really important to someone living with dementia. Unexpected visitors dressed up in strange costumes can be confusing and may trigger difficult behaviors. Changing the environment around them with scary decorations – whether inside or out – may add to this confusion, or lead them to misinterpret what’s happening around them and feel in danger.”
Isolation and loneliness can be heightened.
On Halloween, trick-or-treaters might avoid elderly neighborhoods or skip homes where no one answers the door. A senior who otherwise looks forward to seeing grandchildren or neighbors may feel particularly left out if Halloween activity doesn’t reach them. Not to mention, as people age, friends and peers pass away, relocate or become less able to socialize. This shrinking network means fewer folks to invite for celebrations and fewer people to share holiday planning with. It also means less emotional support at times that might once have been fun.
“Halloween often evokes memories of the past, which can be bittersweet for elderly individuals,” writes Eamonn O’Connor of Ireland’s WatchOvers, “For those who have lost loved ones, this holiday can serve as a reminder of their absence. Additionally, when elderly people see the excitement and sense of community associated with Halloween, it can highlight their own feelings of loneliness and isolation. This can contribute to feelings of depression and sadness during Halloween.”
Physical or cognitive limitations are exposed.
Uneven walkways, steps, thresholds or navigating porches can be risky in the dark. A senior who doesn’t feel safe walking to the door may simply stop participating, reducing engagement and increasing isolation. In addition, hearing loss may make it harder to detect children, footsteps or voices. Visual impairment makes it harder to navigate among decorations, steps or shadows. These sensory gaps can cause anxiety or fear of falling or bumping into things.
At Senior Homecare by Angels, we’re only too happy to help! By combining empathy, companionship, safety awareness and local presence, our angels can help turn a potentially intimidating Halloween into a comfortable, meaningful and inclusive experience. Our Companion & Personal Care gives you and your family greater peace of mind that their loved one is not alone and that the basic necessities of life are being handled professionally.
We are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 403-862-0129 or if outside of Calgary, toll-free at 1-877-209-6142. You may also visit our Contact Us page to complete and submit a simple contact form!