Halloween Activities for the Elderly

Halloween can still be fun for the elderly.

Halloween is a holiday intended mainly for kids who get to dress up and get as much candy as they can carry. For the elderly, however, Halloween need not be reduced to memories of how things used to be. Get seniors back into the Halloween spirit by organizing safe activities that take into account the state of their health and their life experience.

Costume Party

Organize a costume party for seniors with the condition that all costumes must be of celebrities they admired when they were young. Help the seniors dress up as Bogart, Garbo or Hepburn. Encourage attendees to act the part of their chosen celebrity throughout the night. Allow attendees to vote on whose costume is the best.

Elderly Trick-or-Treating

This activity works best in a seniors' home. Organize a station where residents can come trick-or-treating dressed up in a costume of their choice. Distribute candy or treats that are safe for their health conditions. Have dried fruit or nuts available for residents who can't eat sweets.

Old Movie Marathon

Organize a Halloween movie night featuring films from the golden age of cinema. Feature movies by Hitchcock to allow the elderly to experience the fear of Halloween in a familiar and safe setting. You might want to solicit residents of a seniors' home for suggestions on their favorite old movies that are appropriate for Halloween.

Scary Story Contest

Organize a scary story contest for the elderly. Seniors have a lifetime of experience and are bound to have some interesting spooky stories to tell. Allow a set amount of time for each story and have all the listeners vote at the end on the scariest and best story.

References

• Nursing Home Activities Resource: Halloween Activities for Seniors