Happy Halloween! Halloween is a time of fun, creativity, and excitement, as people enjoy spooky decorations, costumes, and treats. But it’s also an important moment to think about how we can ensure that everyone, including older people and those with disabilities, can safely and comfortably enjoy the festivities. For some, Halloween might feel overwhelming or isolating, especially with loud noises, unexpected visitors in scary costumes when it’s dark, or physical limitations that make it hard to participate. A little extra care and thoughtfulness can make a huge difference in helping them to feel included and supported during this time.
If you have older people or individuals with disabilities in your community, consider how you can make the celebrations more accessible. For example, check in with them to see if they’d like to be involved in handing out treats, or do they need company so they are not alone, or maybe help decorating their home? If they don’t want people knocking at the door, but would like to participate, they could put treats on a pumpkin for visitors to take at the bottom of their drive. If you would like to visit people living alone, consider going to visit them in the daylight. You could cook extra Halloween party food for them, or leave them a surprise bag of treats with a note. If the lights are off, better not to disturb. Before knocking at their door, look for signs that this person might have mobility issues, like a grab handle or ramp, and give them extra time to get there. By being mindful of their needs, you can help spread the Halloween joy to everyone, creating a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all!
If you would like to set up a care or support enterprise, where you can help older people or people with disabilities to enjoy these kinds of festivities, please email Sam, or complete an enquiry form.