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Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 (HealthDay Information) — Halloween is commonly scary for family members who’ve demential, however there are methods to maintain it protected and never scary.
“Halloween will be very difficult and annoying for somebody with dementia due to how these diseases impression the mind. Scary sights, frightful sounds and costumed strangers knocking on the door may cause nervousness, worry and agitation,” mentioned Jennifer Reeder, director of academic and social providers for the Alzheimer’s Basis of America.
“Taking just a few easy steps might help households and buddies maintain the ‘Glad’ in ‘Glad Halloween’ for his or her family members with dementia on Oct. 31,” she mentioned in a basis information launch.
You may proactively deal with stress by enjoying stress-free music, offering verbal and bodily reassurance and interesting in a quiet exercise collectively, like studying. Clarify the character of Halloween to your beloved, if it appears applicable, the affiliation suggests.
Listed below are another suggestions:
Don’t use interactive or scary decorations. People who discuss or scream when somebody walks by, or with flashing or flickering lights, will be scary for somebody residing with dementia. It could make them attempt to wander.
Faux skeletons, monsters, witches, cobwebs and tombstones, even when non-interactive, may be scary. Adorn as an alternative with less-scary objects, comparable to pumpkins and fall leaves.
Adapt the celebration to satisfy your beloved’s wants. Change sweet with fruit or one other wholesome snack. An excessive amount of sugar can improve agitation in somebody with dementia.
It’s nonetheless OK to be festive. Reminisce by taking a look at outdated images of Halloween occasions. Paint pumpkins collectively. Watch a non-threatening program about Halloween if your beloved appears . Or be part of a non-threatening celebration at a group heart.
Don’t depart your beloved alone whilst you give out sweet. It may be scary to see costumed strangers frequently knocking on the door.
If the individual with dementia desires to work together with trick or treaters by giving out sweet, present help.
It’s also possible to maintain sweet exterior the door with a observe for trick or treaters to “please take one.”
Go away inside and outdoors lights on for security.
Don’t invite trick or treaters into your own home. This may probably create disorientation for your beloved and should pose a security threat.
However you may invite a small variety of buddies, household or neighbors to cease by for refreshments, if your beloved enjoys this vacation and desires to take part.
In the event you nonetheless have questions on protected celebrating when somebody you’re keen on has Alzheimer’s illness, name the AFA helpline at 866-232-8484, textual content message 646-586-5283 or webchat (www.alzfdn.org) on the group’s web site. The helpline is open seven days per week.
Extra info
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention has extra on Alzheimer’s illness.
SOURCE: Alzheimer’s Basis of America, information launch, Oct. 24, 2023
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