How to help your elderly and vulnerable neighbours this Halloween
Halloween can often be stressful for older people and vulnerable adults. They may get anxious being home alone whilst anticipating the knocks on the front door from trick or treater’s. They might dread the confrontations of strangers asking them for treats.
Even after they may build up the courage to answer the door, costumes and masks can play a big part in confusing or even scaring our vulnerable neighbours and relatives too. They may also have limited mobility and sometimes it is not ideal for them to have to get up several times to answer the door, especially to a stranger.
There can sometimes be lots of fireworks and celebration noise outside their property this time of year, which can be equally as frightening or disorientating for those who usually enjoy peace and quiet or have trouble processing the sounds.
Being mindful of these anxieties and stresses is important when you live close to or have relatives that may be more vulnerable around this time of year. We have put together a few tips as to how you can help to show some support your older neighbours and relatives this Halloween and make life easier for them on the scariest night of the year.
Things you can do to help your older neighbour or relative
1. Give them some company
Arrange to spend the evening with them so you can distract them with an activity that will detract from the outside noise and you can also then be there to hand out sweets to trick or treaters on their behalf.
This will provide some much needed company and a feeling of safety should they wish for you to be there and will help alleviate those anxious worries.
2. Invite them round for dinner
Perhaps your neighbour or relative would like to come and stay with you for the evening to have a change of scenery and get away from their local area if it is prone to being noisy on Halloween.
Be sure to arrange for them to get home safely or perhaps you may wish to accompany them yourself to make sure they get in and are ok upon their return home.
3. Help them put a sign in their window to discourage unwanted trick or treaters
We have designed a simple polite notice that can be thoughtfully placed somewhere that it is easy to see so that trick or treaters know if it is ok to knock or if it is best to move on to the next house.
Click here to download a printable copy 4. Reassure them
Have a chat with your elderly neighbour or relative to reassure them that there are options for the evening of Halloween and that they are not obliged to participate, to try and help ease any anxiety or stress that they may be feeling in the run up to the night.
5. Talk to them before-hand
If you have children that would like to go trick or treating in the neighbourhood, you should speak to your neighbours first to determine which neighbours are ok to receive visitors. You may find that although they are not keen on opening the door to strangers, they may want to participate in some way and you can pre arrange the time of your visit so they know it is you at the door, or perhaps give them a phone call first to let them know you are coming.
6. Gently remind them about security and that it is ok to not answer the door
It may be worth reminding them to keep their door locked to help them feel safer and to take a look through the viewing hole or window before answering the door so they can see who is there.
Remind them that if they do not feel like answering the door, that it is ok to not open it if they do not want to or if they feel threatened. If it was important, the person trying to get hold of them would call or leave a note to come back later.
7. Keep an eye out for rogue trick or treaters that ignore the signs
If you live next door to someone vulnerable, why not check on them throughout the evening to ensure that they are ok and if you happen to see anyone approaching, it may be worth popping out and mentioning that your neighbour is busy and not receiving any visitors this evening.
8. Arrange for a Carer to visit
If you cannot be with them for the evening, but they don’t want to be alone, perhaps help them arrange for a Carer to spend the evening with them until they go to bed so they have some company and can be distracted and reassured for the evening.
9. Clear the route to the front door
If they choose to participate in the Halloween celebrations and are confident that they don’t mind answering the front door to trick or treater’s, make sure the journey to the front door is hazard free so they are not likely to fall when they get up to answer it.
10. Avoid fire hazards
Encourage them to use an electronic light option to light their pumpkin if they choose to have one, so that no naked flames and potential fire hazards are left unattended.
The Pumpkin Rule
When you are planning to take your children trick or treating, it often makes sense to only visit properties which have a lit pumpkin or Halloween decorations, so you can be certain that they are taking part in the celebrations. If there is no pumpkin or decoration, this often means that they are not taking part in Halloween and should be avoided.
Make arrangements early
It’s never too early to start planning with your neighbour or loved one to help relieve the stress or worry that may be building up in the lead up to Halloween, so be sure to chat to them as early as you can and of course remind them closer to the time, of your plans and help to reassure them that it will be ok. Be sure to print our helpful window poster and help stick it in the window or on the door in advance so everything is ready, and your elderly friend or family member can feel at ease.
For more advice, especially if your neighbour or loved one suffers from Dementia, you can get in touch with our team for friendly advice and assistance with care if needed. We hope that no matter what your level of participation, that you enjoy your Halloween celebrations.
