Making Trick-or-Treating a Fun and Safe Experience for Your Parent and Children

Spending time with your children is a wonderful way for your aging parent to enhance their lives and maintain better mental and emotional health as they age in place. As a family caregiver, integrating your parent into your children’s lives is also an effective way to make the most of the time that you have so that your care efforts are as beneficial for everyone in your family. October is Halloween Safety Month. This is the ideal time for you to think about important ways that you can encourage your parent and child to enjoy this holiday together that are as safe as they are fun.

One of the most traditional and enjoyable of Halloween experiences that your children and parent can enjoy together is trick-or-treating. A fantastic way to give your parent some extra physical activity as well as a mental and emotional boost, trick-or-treating with your children is also a way that they can make meaningful memories that both generations can carry with them into the future.

Use these tips to help make trick-or-treating a safe and healthy activity for your parent and children to enjoy together:

• Head out in the daylight. In most places, trick-or-treating starts around 6 in the evening. This is late enough to make sure that there are plenty of people home to give out candy, but also early enough that there is still light. If at all possible, head out during this time. This will make everyone in your group more visible and help a senior with low vision see what is happening around them more easily
• Stay visible. Even if you are heading out in the daylight, bring along ways that you can remain visible. This ca include carrying flashlights or lighted accessories, adding reflective strips to costumes and clothing, and making sure that at least one or two people in your group are wearing light-colored clothing
• Know your route. Make sure that you know where you will be going when trick-or-treating. This helps to prevent disorientation and getting lost, and gives you a better chance of not ending up somewhere dark and uncomfortable for you. If you plan on going far from home, bring along a car. This will ensure that your parent does not need to walk too much for their comfort, and that you can head home when all of you are ready.

Starting senior care for your aging loved one can be a fantastic way to help your parent remain actively engaged with your family. A senior home care services provider can be with your parent to provide a customized approach to care, support, encouragement, and assistance that will help them to manage their challenges, limitations, and needs in a way that is right for your parent. This means that they can enjoy spending quality time with their family while staying safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy throughout their later years. When it comes to activities with your entire family, such as trick-or-treating or hosting a Halloween party, this care provider can be with your parent to continue to give them the care that they require to manage their needs. This means that you can continue to focus on your children while knowing that your senior is safe and healthy. That way every member of the family can participate in all activities as much as they want and in the way that is right for them.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Harleysville, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.