While seniors may love to see children in costumes on Halloween night, the constant door knocking, masked visitors and unfamiliar faces can be intimidating. After all, 1/3 of seniors who live at home, live alone—and most are women.

That’s why Visiting Angels, one of the largest in-home care companies for seniors in the nation, offers seniors and their families a chance to hire a “<em>Halloween Helper</em>” on October 31st. If relatives can’t be with their senior loved one that night, Visiting Angels’ “<em>Halloween Helpers</em>” make it possible for seniors to experience the fun (not the fear) of the holiday!

Visiting Angels’ <em>Halloween Helpers</em> shop for candy, help prepare seniors’ homes for a safe Halloween, answer the door, help hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, and simply provide seniors peace of mind during the flood of visitors.

How can <em>Halloween Helpers </em>make it easier and safer?
<ul>
	<li>Provide a sense of security so any possible troublemakers get the idea someone is at home. Never leave a senior with dementia or physical limitations home alone on Halloween – they are more sensitive to noises and unfamiliar faces.</li>
	<li>Keep guests outside - never let an unknown trick-or-treater inside to use the bathroom or make a phone call.</li>
	<li>Turn on interior and exterior lights during trick-or-treating hours even if no one is home or if the senior chooses not to answer the door.</li>
	<li>Post a sign on the door that says “Sorry, No More Candy” when the goodies run out.</li>
	<li>Make sure all floors, entry ways and porches are free from decorations.</li>
	<li>Remove any Halloween décor that involves flames, such as a lit pumpkin, from outside stairs and footpaths. This is a fire hazard for the dozens of kids stopping by with tails and capes.</li>
	<li>Place carved pumpkins outside to keep the smell out and bugs away.</li>
	<li>Avoid window decorations that block light or the view of the front entry.</li>
</ul>
To reach the local Visiting Angel chapter, call (843) 757-1002. Have a spooktacular and safe Halloween!