nursing homes

Celebrating Halloween in Nursing Homes

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With Halloween just right around the corner, everyone is busy finding the best costumes, picking pumpkins to carve, and getting ready for trick or treating. But for seniors in nursing homes, this time of the year can be a bit scary, especially since the dark and sometimes chaotic theme of Halloween could make them feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

How to Prepare Nursing Homes for Halloween

Make nursing homes bright.

The thought of Halloween can bring memories of ghost stories that make seniors scared and anxious. So, while Halloween celebrations are going on around the neighborhood, make sure to keep all the lights on, as the brightness can give these residents a sense of comfort through the night.

For those who feel extra anxious, you can ask some of your workers to keep them company until they fall asleep.

Keep decorations minimal.

Of course, Halloween isn’t just about ghosts and witches, it’s also a sign that the fall season is here. But if you choose to celebrate Halloween with decorations, try to keep them minimal and choose details that are not scary.

For instance, instead of hanging scary faces that might startle residents and cause accidents, go with pumpkins that they can carve themselves. Also, try to avoid decorations that could cause trips, falls, or affect visibility, especially on hallways or stairs.

Make Halloween more festive.

For sure, a lot of seniors in nursing homes have fond memories of when they were children going trick or treating, and you can give them that nostalgia by planning activities that will make Halloween feel more festive and less scary.

For example, instead of the usual trick-or-treat that could be unsafe for them, you can create a candy and chocolate dessert table in your common area and have them pick whatever they want for that day alone.

You can also give out little Halloween baskets with food and things that they can enjoy.

How to Celebrate Halloween in Nursing Homes

Plan ahead.

Halloween isn’t just for a night, but an entire month. So, make sure that you have a calendar of events to make residents feel excited. It could be a pumpkin carving day, a crafting day, or a Halloween dance. Give them the most exciting Halloween season yet this year.

Choose your spread wisely.

Of course, you can’t have a Halloween party without good food. But instead of going for spooky-looking ones, try to be more mindful of how seniors would feel if they see severed finger hotdogs or bloody juices on the table. Focus on fall-themed dishes instead like gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pies, or anything that would make the spread more festive.

Finally, you can ask residents what activities they’d like to do on Halloween. You’ll surely be surprised at how many great suggestions you’ll get from these residents in nursing homes, especially since they’ve had more Halloween parties in the past than most of us.

So, are you ready to get started for the Halloween season?

 

Looking for independent living in Nebraska? Click here to check out Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Memory Assisted Living

World Mental Health Day in Memory Care Assisted Living

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Mental Health is one of the World Health Organizations’ many main focuses for improving the overall well-being of people worldwide. Thanks to WHO, every 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. This day raises awareness for different mental issues and ways to support the efforts of promoting better mental health. Residents in memory care assisted living are not left off the list of people who can experience mental health illnesses. So, it’s important that this day is celebrated to remind residents that they have support.

Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2022 | Memory Care Assisted Living

This year, the World Federation for Mental Health’s theme for World Mental Health Day is to “make mental health for all a global priority.” In the aftermath of the pandemic, many have struggled with their mental health. So, they need all the support they can get to move forward in a more positive light.

Throughout the month of October, the United Nations conducts activities and events that promote the importance of mental health. Here people can get help with their mental health and learn to support friends and family who are struggling.

Promoting Mental Health in Memory Care Assisted Living

Since residents in memory care assisted living are at risk, here are some ways to help them cope:

Encourage residents to communicate their feelings.

These residents may tend to keep their feelings to themselves. Especially, if they’re not yet familiar with others in memory care assisted living. You can encourage them to communicate their feelings with you and assure them that you’re there for them.

Plan safe physical activities.

Exercise has been proven to release the happy hormones called endorphins that make anyone feel better and happier. So, while you need to take extra precautions in allowing seniors to exercise, you can always include simple and safe physical activities as part of their daily routine.

Low-impact exercises like stretching or walking can help them get a good sweat to stay healthy while also allowing them to release anxiety and stress that could trigger mental health issues.

At the end of the day, mental health should be part of the healthcare plan of residents in memory care assisted living. With all the changes of moving into a facility while dealing with their limitations and medical conditions, it’s only fitting that they also get the mental support that they need to adjust to this new chapter in their lives and enjoy the best years ahead of them.

 

Looking for remarkable assisted living in Nebraska? Click here to check out Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper