In addition to Independent Living and Assisted Living, Sagora Senior Living is proud to offer Memory Care living options for our residents. As we understand that Memory Care can be a sensitive subject and perhaps confusing and overwhelming for family members, we have launched a blog series devoted entirely to Memory Care. Our hope is that we provide educational resources, answers to frequently asked questions and support as you navigate your loved one’s Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.
For this week’s feature, we’d like to focus on ways to celebrate Halloween with your loved one while working within their Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis. Our philosophy for celebrating Halloween is to hold the spooky but keep the fun! Halloween decorations can be overly frightening and can trigger fear or aggression for those with Alzheimer’s. To them, the decorations seem real and threatening.
For that reason, we recommend focusing more on the fun of the fall season. We recommend the below activities, many of which are used in our Memory Care communities.
- Decorate fall-themed cookies. You can use all sorts of shapes – pumpkins, bats, ghosts and decorate them in festive icing colors.
- Whip up some hot apple cider. This treat can be especially enjoyed on a chilly fall evening!
- Create a Halloween-themed bingo game. You can even get the kids involved – fun and competitive for the whole family!
- Listen to old familiar music or watch a classic Halloween film. We recommend listening to “The Monster Mash” and watching “Young Frankenstein” or “The Addams Family”!
- Go for a walk and enjoy the fall leaves together. Not only will you and your loved one benefit from the exercise, spending time in the fresh air and seeing the lovely sights of the season will help stimulate your loved one’s mind and spirit.
- Get creative with fall themed crafts! Our residents love to paint pumpkins, make wreaths for their apartment doors and to make fall birdseed ornaments for our birds around the community.
Our teams are dedicated to finding activities that are safe, stimulating and enjoyable for our residents. Looking to learn more or to contact one of our Memory Care experts?
