Skip to main content

Celebrating Halloween Safely as a Senior


Halloween can be a fun and festive time, no matter your age. At our senior living Kirkland community, we love seeing our residents get into the spirit of the season—whether it's through decorating, enjoying seasonal treats, or spending time with family. However, safety is always a priority, especially for seniors, and a few easy steps can help ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween celebration.
  • Decorate Thoughtfully: Decorating for the season is always exciting, but it's important to avoid any tripping hazards. Make sure pathways are clear when placing pumpkins, decorations, or lights around your home. One of our residents shared that using flameless candles instead of real ones in her jack-o'-lanterns made her feel much safer while still enjoying the season's glow.
  • Wear Comfortable Costumes: If you're dressing up, choose costumes that are easy to move around and don't obstruct your vision. Lightweight costumes are perfect for indoor festivities, and simple accessories like festive hats or scarves can still bring Halloween fun. Several residents at senior housing Kirkland have told us how much they enjoy themed costume parties, and comfort is always a top priority.
  • Participate in Group Events: Many retirement communities, like ours, host Halloween activities that cater to seniors. From pumpkin carving contests to Halloween movie nights, these group events are a great way to celebrate the holiday in a safe and controlled environment. One of our residents mentioned that her favorite part of Halloween is participating in a community-wide costume contest, where everyone can join in on the fun.
  • Pass Out Candy Safely: If you enjoy handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, set up a well-lit and accessible space for this. Consider sitting near the door or even setting up a small table to place treats on so you don't have to get up and down repeatedly. A resident at our community shared how she enjoys seeing the kids in their costumes from her front porch, where she comfortably sits with a bowl of candy.
  • Be Cautious with Sweets: It's easy to indulge in Halloween treats, but those with dietary restrictions must enjoy it in moderation. We love offering sugar-free alternatives at our Halloween gatherings to ensure everyone can partake without concern
Halloween can be a time filled with laughter and joy when a little extra care is taken. Simple precautions can make sure it's a safe and happy celebration for everyone.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How Many Steps Per Day for Better Health?

  We have all heard about the value of walking 10,000 steps a day but recent studies show it may not actually be the magic number. One study published by JAMA found walking 7,000 steps or more a day may decrease the risk for mortality and offer better overall health. In the cohort study of 2110 adults with a mean follow-up of 10.8 years, participants who walked at least 7000 steps a day, compared with those taking fewer than 7000 steps, had a 50% to 70% lower risk of mortality. Researchers also noted, “There was no association of step intensity with mortality regardless of adjustment for step volume.” A 2020 study found a decreased risk for mortality in participants who took 8,000 steps a day than those who only took 4,000 steps a day. In the same year, another study found more steps taken each day were linked to lower rates of diabetes. Researchers say the bottom line is evidence points to the importance of increased physical activity. Before you begin walking, talk to your health...

Benefits for Assisted Living Available to Eligible Veterans or Surviving Spouse

Residents of the MorningStar Senior Living communities include veterans from all branches of the military and we are honored to serve them. As a MorningStar team member eloquently said, “Seniors speak powerfully to the fact that freedom comes at a cost. It requires that you choose to do the right thing which almost always includes sacrifice. Whether it’s time, money or comfort, those who came before us chose to sacrifice to build a better society.” When we meet a potential resident who is a veteran or a surviving spouse of a vet, and in need of assisted living ; we are pleased to direct them to a “Financial Concierge.” These financial services experts have the knowledge to ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance,” which is a benefit offered through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Aid & Attendance benefits are a tax-free pension paid directly to a qualified veteran or their spouse in the form of monthly payments, which is subject to change annuall...

Learn More About MorningStar at River Oaks

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at River Oaks is in the Upper Kirby District in Houston, and has 85 private assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 27 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We are proud to offer our residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our home is a part of MorningStar Senior Living, which has over 40 communities currently open or under construction across the country. MorningStar began in 2003 when founder Ken Jaeger had a dream to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He says, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” From this came our guiding principles and three mission statements our company is based on: Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and eth...