In just a week and a half, Halloween will be here! This is a fun time of year for people of all ages. However, when we think of Halloween, we generally think of children getting dressed up in costumes and going trick or treating. But that certainly doesn’t mean their older counterparts can’t get in on the fun. For elderly people, Halloween is less about getting candy and more about engaging in fun activities with family.
What do you have planned for the older adults in your life this Halloween? Here are three fun Halloween activities for the elderly:
1. A Halloween scavenger hunt.
Health experts have long promoted the need for older adults to engage in light exercise regularly. With Halloween on the way, a new opportunity has been provided for your elderly loved ones to get active around the house. By setting up a scavenger hunt, you can get the entire family involved in a fun and friendly contest. Such an activity will especially work wonders for seniors who are looking for new ways to exercise their bodies and challenge their minds.
“Depending upon the mobility issues of those involved, this can be held either indoors or outdoors,” writes Anna Hazard of Ella Stewart Care, “Certain Halloween themed items (such as a fuzzy black cat, a purple witch’s hat, a balloon ghost with googly eyes) can be hidden amongst the normal decor with a scavenger list & time limit provided to all participants.”
2. Good old pumpkin carving.
Is there a Halloween tradition more popular than creating jack-o-lanterns? The age-old act of carving out a pumpkin and giving it a spooky face is one that has existed since the 19th century. It’s important to keep in mind that the use of knives can be dangerous. So, if your elderly loved one has any mobility issues, be sure to offer your assistance and supervision.
“One of the best traditional crafts for Halloween time is making jack-o-lanterns,” affirms Kristen Hicks of SeniorAdvisor.com, “If you’re not sure about handing all of your seniors sharp implements, you can have a pumpkin painting day or give them sharpies to draw designs on the pumpkins.”
3. A spooky sensory story session.
Telling ghost stories is an age-old Halloween tradition. But stories told with a “touch and feel” element to it can make the activity that much more fun. For example, pass around bowls of spaghetti as “guts” while telling a tale about zombies. Sensory story telling is a great way to help elderly people with memory loss to recall certain sights, sounds and smells.
“This particular activity is good for those with dementia or other conditions that respond well to tactile sensory input,” Hazard points out, “While telling a spooky story that involved describing remains (such as Poor Joe or The Withered Corpse) pass around covered bowls or boxes that match what is being described in the story.”
At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we’d love to help your elderly loved one safely enjoy this Halloween. Learn all about our mobility solutions by calling us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page. Happy Halloween!
