Aging Parents: Halloween Ideas Roundup: Part 2 –8 Things Aging and Elderly Adults Can Look Forward To

Princesses, witches and pirates are set to rule this Halloween. Credit: Getty.

An active, appropriately-involved grandmother recently said: “Oh! I won’t be able to resist going to my daughter’s and seeing the kids in their costumes before they go trick or treating.” She was looking forward.

We can never be 100% certain when we plan ahead for older people, because stuff happens–usually more for/to them than us. Yet we know giving older people something to look forward to lifts spirits. Below are 8 plan-ahead, look-forward to–ideas…only the party takes real work.

Halloween fun for Elders

Invite grandparents, older aunts and uncles, and/or any older adults you care about to see your children in their Halloween costumes–either before kids go trick-or-treating or when they come back.
If aging/older friends or relatives are in care facilities, or are basically housebound, take your costumed children for a quick visit–before Halloween if convenient, but afterwards works too. There’s an additional benefit– lifting spirits for every old(er) person in care facilities (those who always sit in the hall in wheel chairs or other chairs) who sees the Halloween-costumed kids walk by.
When grandchildren can safely trick-or-treat with an adult chaperone, invite grandparents to go along (and remain far enough away to be almost invisible?)
When PTAs, recreation departments, elementary schools etc. sponsor Halloween parties, invite at least one aging family member to accompany you, as you transport the kids.
Have a Halloween party at your home. (links below for party ideas). Invite grandparents.
Invite aging parents to come to your home for Halloween to see the trick-or-treaters. (You need’t have children). I remember my parents coming back to visit at Halloween and the excitement following each ring of the doorbell. The high-pitched “trick or treat” elicited Dad’s compliments about their scary look, great costume etc. They beamed at the compliments as they took their candy. Dad beamed back. Mother, in the background, seemed happy to replenish the candy supply. She too had a big smile on her face as she watched these little kids having such a good time.
Make plans to be at aging parents’ homes during trick-or-treat hours, thus alleviating the fear and apprehension that can accompany a ring of the doorbell on the dark Halloween night. Aging adults can once again enjoy the trick-or-treaters. If few trick-or-treaters come, you have been with your parent(s) and that in itself is a gift (as we know).
Take Older People To See Halloween Displays Details: Click these posts, if you haven’t already seen them.

Probably all older adults went trick-or-treating as kids. How can it not be fun for them to observe youngsters repeating this tradition…….another small aspect of helping parents age well.

Party planning: http://www.hgtv.com/entertaining/host-a-kids-craft-party-for-halloween/pictures/index.html
http://kidsparties.about.com/od/celebratingholidays/a/HalloweenParties.htm
Checkout classic Halloween party (last paragraph)