Advice to help loved ones with dementia make it comfortably through Halloween

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Halloween is Thursday, October 31, and that means lots of people will be dressed up in costumes going door-to-door looking for candy.

But what can this holiday look like for someone with dementia or some other form of cognitive decline?

University of Virginia neuropsychologist Virginia Gallacher says being dressed up in a costume can be very confusing for some.

Constant door-knocking and doorbell ringing throughout the night can also be an issue.

She says to prepare for these scenarios before any Halloween night festivities get underway.

“Maybe staying home during trick-or-treating,” Gallacher said. “Distracting with a movie in a room that’s away from the doorbell. Putting out candy on the front step and saying please take one as opposed to having the doorbell ring all night. Those are some things I would do.”

Gallagher says be patient with loved ones on nights like these and always have a backup plan.

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