Halloween has somehow acquired a reputation as a children’s holiday.
We’re not entirely sure who decided that.
After all, older adults have better ghost stories, decades of Halloween memories and, generally speaking, a rather more sophisticated approach to entertaining.
So here’s how we propose throwing the ultimate Halloween party for seniors – no apple bobbing required.
The guest list: Summon the family
Every good Halloween party needs guests. Although this is perhaps the one event in your social calendar where ghosting doesn’t necessarily indicate party failure.
If there are grandchildren or great-grandchildren in the family, invite them over before they begin their trick-or-treating rounds. Inspect the costumes, take a few family photos and have an early dinner together before the children disappear into the neighbourhood in pursuit of their annual sugar fortune.
Halloween is particularly great for bringing generations together. The activities needn’t be elaborate, either. Decorating biscuits, carving pumpkins or simply admiring costumes gives everyone something to do together. Intergenerational activities such as crafts and baking are among those recommended for maximum enjoyment.
And if the family can’t make it? A few friends or neighbours make perfectly respectable party guests, too.
The important thing is to plan the gathering around the seniors of the family. A bustling house may be their idea of heaven. Or six guests and a nice dinner may be quite enough.
The decorations: Spooky, not hazardous
Now for the transformation of the house.
Pumpkins? Certainly. Cobwebs? If you must. A six-foot skeleton seated grandly in the drawing room? We shan’t object.
But there is a line between haunted house and trip hazard.
Keep hallways, entrances and other walking routes clear. Especially if any guests use a walking aid or have reduced vision or mobility. Flameless candles can provide the requisite eerie glow without an open fire, while wall and table decorations keep the atmosphere up and the clutter down.
For someone living with dementia or sensory sensitivities, the fright factor may also need toning down. Strobe lights, fog machines, sudden noises and motion-activated decorations can be startling or confusing – and best avoided.
One can create atmosphere without creating an insurance claim.
The costumes: A little theatre goes a long way
Fancy dress is by no means compulsory.
But if Mum has been waiting 40 years for an opportunity to wear a feather boa and call herself the Dowager Countess of Darkness, who are you to stand in her way?
Costumes can be as simple as a witch’s hat, dramatic cape, themed brooch or pair of suspiciously enormous spectacles. In fact, accessories may be preferable to an elaborate head-to-toe ensemble.
But comfort matters. We recommend avoiding costumes that restrict movement, as well as masks, tight headwear or uncomfortable fabrics.
If several guests are dressing up, turn it into a competition. Categories might range from Most Elegant through to Most Ridiculous. Small prizes are encouraged, but standards must be maintained.
The entertainment: Bring out the ghost stories
No Halloween party is complete without a ghost story.
And this is where the older members of the family have an unfair advantage: years of material.
Ask them whether there was a supposedly haunted house where they grew up. Did their parents believe in ghosts? Was there a local legend everybody knew? What frightened them as children? Did anything ever happen that they still can’t quite explain?
You can also turn the conversation towards Halloweens past. Ask about favourite costumes, childhood traditions or memorable nights out with friends.
Storytelling and reminiscing feature in many recommended activities for seniors, as regaling tales of old helps to keep the mind sharp.
For the less talkative members of the party, a light-hearted Halloween film makes an excellent second act. Choose something nostalgic or amusing, rather than assuming everyone wishes to spend their evening being terrorised.
The menu: Treats are not just for trick-or-treaters
Naturally, there must be something to eat.
You don’t need to construct an elaborate buffet of biscuits shaped like severed fingers to make the menu feel festive. A favourite family meal, pumpkin soup, something sweet and a few bowls of Halloween treats will do quite nicely.
The key is choosing food that suits the people at the table.
If someone has difficulty swallowing, hard and sticky lollies might not be appropriate. Similarly, dietary requirements, such as those for diabetes, may also come into play. An easy-to-eat alternative, such as chocolate or your classic Party Mix, will be your safest option here.
Plastic eyeballs floating in the punch remain entirely at the host’s discretion.
The trick-or-treaters: Put the seniors in charge
Then come the uninvited guests.
Or, as they’re known on Halloween, trick-or-treaters.
For an older person who enjoys seeing the neighbourhood children dressed up, handing out treats can be one of the nicest parts of the evening. But repeatedly getting up to answer the door may become tiring or difficult.
Instead, create a comfortable trick-or-treating station near the front door. Give your loved one a chair, put the lolly bowl within reach and have another family member – or Acquaint carer – nearby to help with the constant parade of visitors.
They get front-row seats to the costumes without making 37 trips to the door. Win-win.
Growing older shouldn’t mean missing out on the fun. Acquaint provides private care to help your loved ones enjoy life at home. Get in touch to find out how.
