Visiting Angels offers hireable helpers for seniors on Halloween
(WJBK) - Many seniors love to see the kids all dressed up on Halloween night, but the constant door knocking, masked visitors and unfamiliar faces can be intimidating.
One-third of all seniors who live at home, live alone and most are women.
Steve Novak with Visiting Angels joined FOX 2 to share some tips on how to stay safe.
Visiting Angels is offering a chance for seniors and families to hire a Halloween Helper. Here's what they do:
- Provide companionship and a sense of security so any possible troublemakers get the idea more than one person is living in the home.
- Never leave a senior with dementia or physical limitations home alone on Halloween - they are more sensitive to noises and unfamiliar faces.
- Keep guests outside - never let an unknown trick-or-treater inside to use the bathroom or make a phone call.
- 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.
- While a dark home may signal to trick-or-treaters that there is no candy, it also tells vandals the house could be empty
- Stay inside while handing out candy.
- Post a sign on the door that says "Sorry, No More Candy" when the goodies run out.