Holidays with Dementia: Halloween Safety and Joy
- Amy Shaw, PA
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
Finding Joy in the Holidays, Even with Dementia
The holidays can feel bittersweet when you are caring for someone with dementia. Traditions may look different, but they do not have to disappear. With a few thoughtful adjustments, the holidays can still bring comfort, connection, and joy.
Halloween with Dementia: Tips for Safety and Comfort
Halloween can be exciting—but also overwhelming—for someone with dementia. Costumes, masks, and loud noises may cause fear or confusion. Try these caregiver-friendly tips:
Keep decorations simple. Skip the frightening masks, strobe lights, or sound effects.
Limit trick-or-treat traffic. Too many visitors at the door can be stressful.
If your loved one enjoys handing out candy, sit together on the porch with gentle lighting.
Play familiar music instead of spooky sounds. Favorite songs can create a calming environment.
💡 Tip: If trick-or-treaters might overwhelm your loved one, set out a candy bowl on the porch with a kind note. This way, children are welcomed without causing unnecessary stress.
Adapting Holiday Traditions for Connection
Holidays with dementia work best when activities are simplified:
Focus on sensory comforts—familiar foods, cozy blankets, favorite scents.
Choose smaller gatherings instead of noisy, crowded events.
Involve your loved one in small, meaningful ways like stirring cookie dough, choosing decorations, or helping set the table.
These little touches remind them that they are still part of the celebration.
Preserving Dignity During Holiday Celebrations
Even when abilities change, your loved one still wants to feel competent, capable, and in control. During the holidays, this can be as simple as:
Offering choices they can manage, such as picking between two sweaters.
Asking their opinion on which candy bowl to use.
Including them in conversations, even if they cannot follow every detail.
When dignity is preserved, the holidays become more about love than loss.
A Season of Connection
Holidays with dementia may not mirror the past, but they can still be deeply meaningful. The goal is not to maintain every tradition—it is to nurture connection, preserve dignity, and create moments of joy.
—
Amy Shaw, PA
Founder, Better Dementia
