LEWISTON — Concerns about the H1N1 flu virus have prompted at least two nursing homes in the Twin Cities to cancel or change
this year’s Halloween plans because they included large groups of children.

St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion announced this week that it is canceling trick-or-treating at the facility, which provides rehabilitation and nursing home services. More than 700 children trick-or-treat at d’Youville every year, going room to room to get candy from residents.

There have been no cases of H1N1 at d’Youville. A St. Mary’s spokesman said d’Youville officials were mostly worried about the virus’ spread among the gathered children.  

“They’re narrow hallways and it’s warm,” spokesman Russ Donahue said. “All kinds of breeding grounds. We want to make sure our patients are protected, but we’re more concerned about the kids since kids are at a higher risk (of contracting H1N1) than adults are.” 

It was a difficult decision to make, he said. 

“It’s quite a treat for residents. It’s wonderful for families,
because kids can really get a lot of candy in a short, easy period of
time. It’s a win-win for everybody,” Donahue said. “So we’re really, really sad that we
have to cancel this year.” 

Clover Health Care in Auburn also has canceled its Halloween plans.
The independent living, assisted living and nursing home facility runs
a preschool program and routinely holds activities with residents
and children. Clover had planned a joint Halloween party for Friday, but it canceled
that and all get-togethers between residents and the preschoolers this week over concerns that H1N1 could be passed from one population to the other.

“It’s kind of a protection for both of them,” said Mary Ann O’Marrow, activities coordinator. 

Instead, preschoolers and residents will have separate parties. Preschoolers will be allowed to hold a costume parade outside — with residents watching from inside. 

At the Oddfellows and Rebekahs Home in Auburn, however, Halloween plans have not changed. Trick-or-treaters don’t go from room to room to receive treats from residents and there have been no parties scheduled with children. Instead, the Oddfellows and Rebekahs Home hands out candy to trick-or-treaters in the lobby. 

“Other than that, we don’t have a big festivity,” Executive Director John Bolduc said. “There doesn’t seem to be any reason that I can see for adjusting any of our plans.”

In d’Youville’s cancellation announcement, St. Mary’s urged parents to get their children vaccinated against H1N1 and to take basic precautions, such as washing hands frequently, covering coughs
and sneezes and staying home if sick.

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