As the weather gets colder and the leaves start falling, all of the tell-tale signs point to the beginning of fall! October is coming to an end, and Halloween season is creeping up on us. For those of you who are excited about this holiday, we have a variety of Halloween activities for senior citizens that you can do with your family and friends. Whether you will be celebrating Halloween or not, it is also important to keep a few tips in mind to ensure that you stay safe during this year’s Halloween season.
Trick-or-Treat: Halloween Activities for Senior Citizens
Game Night: Are you planning to stay indoors this Halloween? For some senior citizens, Halloween can be an overwhelming event, especially when you are living by yourself. Consider hosting or attending a Halloween-themed game night with friends and family this Halloween weekend for a night of Halloween activities for senior citizens. This is a perfect opportunity to spend time with your loved ones. Not sure what to play? Consider the following games for a night of fun: Halloween Pictionary, Bingo, Charades, Uno, Go Fish or Connect Four.
Cooking Party: A great way to kickstart your Halloween party is by having a cooking event! Invite your friends and family members for a relaxing night of good food and company.
Halloween-themed Recipes:
- Spiced Chocolate Bat Cookies
- Brown Butter-Hazelnut Blondies
- Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Turkey-Sweet Potato Soup
Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Are you looking for an activity that will help bring out your inner artist? Consider hosting a pumpkin decorating contest this Halloween. This is a great opportunity to spend time with grandchildren while expressing your artistic talents. Art is also proven to be a helpful activity to promote socialization and cognitive improvement. Seniors who engage in artistic activities can help decrease their level of stress and anxiety while improving cognitive and motor skills, according to Today’s Geriatric Medicine. This can help strengthen your brain to combat dementia.
Host a Bonfire Night: Plan a bonfire night with family and friends for a more intimate gathering. This is a great opportunity to tell scary stories or simply catch up with your loved ones. There’s nothing like a quiet and relaxing evening with good company.
Scary Movie Marathon: Organize a Halloween movie marathon screening. This is a great way of spending your Halloween. There are a lot of classic Halloween movies ranging from horror to comedy. Take a trip down memory lane and spend your Halloween relaxing with a cup of apple cider and a great movie.
Halloween Safety Tips for Senior Citizens
Aside from these Halloween activities for senior citizens, it is important to take precautions to ensure that you have a safe weekend. For some, Halloween can be a stressful time. Here are some Halloween safety tips to help alleviate your worries:
- If you will be home alone this Halloween, make sure that you have someone there with you to help assist you as well as provide company. If you do not want to stay home, consider visiting friends and/or family for a fun Halloween celebration.
- If you will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, make sure that you keep your lights on both inside and outside of your house. This is an important measure to ensure that you will be aware of everything that is happening around you.
- Prior to trick-or-treating hours, make sure that you remove any hazardous items away from your porch, door, or any light sources. This will help prevent accidents from occurring.
- If you are planning to carve pumpkins, make sure that you use safe carving tools. It can be helpful to engage in these activities with a friend or family member to help prevent any accidents from occurring.
What are your favorite Halloween activities for senior citizens? Share with us in the comments below!
