Dementia and door locking

Rambosmum

elsien wrote: »

If it's always locked then can the person still get out freely?
Otherwise, aside from the safety issues, you're in deprivation of liberty territory.
Plus, as Rambosmum says, what if the person forgets the number?

Have you tried talking to a good independent locksmith for suggestions?

yes, which we are trying to avoid. We want the resident to be able to come and go freely but be unable to lock carers out.


I have contacted a locksmith and I am waiting for them to get back to me.


Insurance has already been considered.

hazyjo

Is there a back door they could use, or is it a terraced house?

Rambosmum

hazyjo wrote: »

Is there a back door they could use, or is it a terraced house?

There's only one entrance unfortunately.

izoomzoom

Rambosmum wrote: »

yes, which we are trying to avoid. We want the resident to be able to come and go freely but be unable to lock carers out.


I have contacted a locksmith and I am waiting for them to get back to me.


Insurance has already been considered.

We were ripped off by a locksmith. In the end, it was the guy who fitted our new door (because the locksmiths somehow stuffed that up too), that changed the lock when we found it wasn't as we wanted (for about £15 compared to the £hundreds by the locksmith).

Rodders53

These may be suitable if existing lock is a 'euro cylinder' type.
https://uapcorporate.com/product/kinetica-child-safe-thumb-turn-3-star-kitemarked-euro-cylinder/

The thumb turn style requires a push-in and turn (hence 'child safe'). It also makes it nigh on impossible to operate via a letterbox and suitable 'appliance' to rotate the thumb turn to open from outside. 3* security as well.

Most multipoint / euro cylinder door locking mechanisms can be set to always need a key to get back inside or allow the external handle to operate the latch... we have ours that way as we don't always have the door key on us when we go outside!

Savvy_Sue

74jax wrote: »

What about a number pad. So it is always locked and a number is entered to gain access? No keys used or needed. Emergency services and doctors have the number on file etc.

It sounds as if the problem is what the person's current routine is: they use a lock which can't be opened from outside. Question is, will you be able to persuade them to stop doing that, short of removing the internal locking device.

AlwaysAllie

You could try contacting Age UK, I’m sure they’ll have had this question before.

AA

trailingspouse

I've been reading this with interest. My mother (88) doesn't suffer from dementia, but due to poor eyesight is struggling to unlock her front door - between finding the right key on the keyring and then getting it into the keyhole, it can take her a while. Which is fine under normal circumstances, but I worry that if there was a fire she wouldn't be able to get out.

And I agree with Savvy Sue - Mum is pretty set in her ways, and suggesting that she either doesn't lock the outer porch door (which is the one that causes the problem - the main front door is easier), or keeps that key separate from the others, wouldn't go down very well.

Rambosmum

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

It sounds as if the problem is what the person's current routine is: they use a lock which can't be opened from outside. Question is, will you be able to persuade them to stop doing that, short of removing the internal locking device.

That's what I'm asking. Whether there is a lock available which would mean the person inside the property is unable to prevent a person with a key from entering (but a person without a key could not enter). According to the master association of locksmiths these do exist, I am waiting for a local locksmith to get back to me on specific locks.


So the current routine wouldn't be an issue, as there would be no way to prevent someone with a key from entering.

Katgrit

You just need a basic thumb turn. Key outside, thumbturn inside. You can "lock" it from the inside to stop randoms just opening the door and walking in, but anyone with a key can get still get in. Got one on my house and there's been occasions when I've let myself in with my key when it's been thumb turn "locked" from the inside.

You don't need a locksmith for this if it's just a traditional cylinder barrel door lock. You can get them from about a tenner from hardware shops or online. You can also get the equivalent for UPVC door. A Yale type lock won't work, because if the deadbolt (or "snip") is on anyone with a key is locked out. Any barrel lock with a key on the inside won't work because your relative as you've said will just leave the key in. Keypad locks are just overcomplicating things (and some have snips anyway).

Trust me.....thumb turn!