The spooky season is here, but not everyone feels comfortable passing out candy on Halloween. For some, getting up and dashing to the door every few minutes is physically challenging. Others experience anxiety about opening their door to strangers when they're home alone. Here are six ways seniors can safely enjoy Halloween festivities on and around the 31st, either with friends or among their community!
1. Attend a Local Halloween Event
Residents of the Long Beach area can turn off the porch lights, put on a costume, and head out to one of these public Halloween festivities:
- Shoreline Zombie Walk in Long Beach
- Avalon Golf Cart & Walking Parade
- Signal Hill Halloween Carnival
- Carson's Treats & Suites Halloween Bash
- Trunk or Treat Halloween Festival in Compton
Many senior centers throw parties as well, from costume contests to Halloween-themed dinners. Some also pass out candy to neighborhood kids!
2. Invite Friends Over for a Halloween Potluck
Those who love to entertain at home could host a small costume party with food, games, Halloween-themed treats, and companionship. Guests can take turns answering the door for trick-or-treaters, and everyone can participate in a white elephant candy swap!
3. Go to a Scary Movie
Seniors who never outgrew a good horror movie might get together with a couple of friends for an afternoon at the cinema, and there's no reason not to dress up for the occasion! And for those who don't mind staying out late, The Art Theatre in Long Beach still shows The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday nights. For those who have never been, it's a raucous good time, with attendees dressing up as their favorite characters and acting out—and singing—their parts.
4. Take a Walk Through the Neighborhood
Active seniors don't have to wait until dark to enjoy the neighborhood kids' costumes, nor do they have to wait for the little ghosts and goblins to arrive at their doorstep. Many parents take younger children out well before nightfall, making early Halloween evenings or late afternoons the perfect time to go for a walk!
Elderly individuals who live in a community with few children can always drive to a nearby, more family-oriented neighborhood for some holiday sightseeing. Tech-savvy seniors can use the Nextdoor app to find local hotspots—it has a special map just for Halloween!
5. Go to the Mall
Most malls in the Long Beach area are excellent places to spend the evening. Stores give out candy to young trick-or-treaters, and seniors can relax on a bench and watch the kids parade by. It's a safe, fun way to enjoy the holiday and get a little shopping done to boot!
6. Let Family Members Show Off Their Costumes via Video Chat
Before celebrating in their own style, seniors can check out their grandkids' costumes on a video chat app like Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Meet. This is a wonderful way to stay in touch with family members on Halloween. The next day, the kids will want to show off their candy booty... and grandparents can boast about their own night on the town!
Don't Spend Halloween Alone This Year
Seniors have plenty of options for celebrating Halloween in good company, whether they're with friends, family, or with a Long Beach Senior Helpers® home care professional. Elderly loved ones, even those who are largely independent, might feel more comfortable going out and about with a Senior Helpers® companion this season, or they might enlist some help as they host Halloween parties of their own.
Seniors and their loved ones can contact Senior Helpers® today to find out how they can benefit from a little extra assistance, from respite care to aid with day-to-day tasks to holiday outings. Happy Halloween!