If you live with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease, you know how challenging it can be to keep them safe. Having secure door locks can be a particularly important safety measure. A secure door lock can prevent a loved one with severe memory loss from wandering off and getting confused or lost, which can lead to dangerous or life-threatening situations. In fact, about 60 percent of people living with dementia wander off at some point, and many do so repeatedly, particularly as Alzheimer’s progresses.

Many myALZteam members have talked about the worry they feel when a loved one with Alzheimer’s leaves the house and wanders away. Many have discussed the need to install the right kind of door lock. One myALZteam member shared, “I have been scrambling to find locks to keep my husband in. His psychotic episodes are more frequent, and he is very argumentative. He left in the rain at night. The neighbor helped convince him to go home. That night I awoke to him banging on the door to be let in. It was pouring rain, and he was barefoot.”

Another member wrote, “Dad tried to run away from the house this morning. He moved the table from the front door, and if I hadn't woken up, he would have left. I got him back to bed. I was making coffee and he left out of my bedroom’s sliding door and tried to get out of the gate. I need some ideas on how to better secure the house.”

If you want to make your home safer with a secure door lock for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, here are some things to consider.

Locks With Keys on the Inside Can Be Hazardous

Some people might think about installing a deadbolt lock that can only be unlocked with a key from the inside and then hiding the key from their loved one with Alzheimer’s. However, this type of lock can create safety issues during emergencies when quick exits are needed. If a key for an inside lock is misplaced or hard to reach in an emergency, it could prevent someone from leaving safely.

In some places, a door that locks from the inside with a key may even be illegal. However, a door lock that requires a key can still be helpful. It can prevent a loved one with dementia from entering certain areas of the home, such as a room, closet, or basement.

Coded or Keyless Door Locks Can Be Effective

Keyless door locks use keypads that require a code for unlocking from either the inside or outside. There are many features available for keyless door locks. Some keyless locks don’t need batteries, so they won’t stop working if the battery runs out.

Keyless locks can automatically lock after closing, which means you don’t have to worry about forgetting to lock a door. Some keyless door locks can even be operated by smartphones or voice assistants, like Siri. Keyless entry locks can also be used on doors inside the home.

One disadvantage of keyless door locks is that some may be tricky to install, use, or recode. It’s a good idea to talk to a locksmith to learn how a lock operates and which ones fit your doors.

Concealed Door Locks May Be an Option

Some door locks are designed not to look like a door lock and don’t operate like typical door locks. The mechanism for opening these locks isn’t obvious, which can help conceal or disguise them.

This type of lock is best for doors inside the home, to limit access to certain areas. They are not recommended for doors that allow you to exit the home.

Door Covers

You can also hide a door lock in a more simple way, simply by using a door mural or curtain. A door mural is a cover with a design that disguises the door while still allowing access to the handle and lock. Door murals can make the door look like a bookcase or a piece of art, which might help prevent someone with Alzheimer’s from recognizing it as a door.

Painting a door the same color as the walls can also help disguise a door lock. Using a doorknob cover that is the same color as the door can also help conceal doorknob locks. A curtain can be another effective option.

One myALZteam member shared, “I was told by a nurse to put a curtain over the door so they can’t find the door.”

Consider Installing a Door Lock Out of Reach

Door top locks are installed at the top of the door frame, making them hard for someone with Alzheimer’s to reach. You can also install door locks higher or lower than usual to keep them out of easy access.

If you choose to make a door lock on an exit door hard to reach, make sure that family members and caregivers can operate the lock easily. This will ensure safety while keeping the door secure.

Childproof safety devices and safety locks for keeping doors locked can also be helpful.

Door Locks With Alarms May Be a Solution

Some door locks come with built-in chimes or alarms that sound when someone opens the door. Door alarms are also available as separate devices. Some door alarms have sensors that can work with a bracelet or ankle band to detect when a loved one with Alzheimer’s is near a door.

One myALZteam member shared, “My brother installed a Ring alarm system for me. You put a sensor on each door that leads to the outside. You can choose a different sound for each door. When an outside door is opened, you hear that sound.”

Another member said, “The Ring system includes a keypad to set the alarm at night. When an outside door is opened, a loud alarm goes off. The Ring system gives me so much peace of mind.”

Many find it helpful to use a door alarm system with a camera. One member shared,“My husband gets up around 4 a.m. and wanders. I’ve put alarms on all our doors to the outside. I installed a Ring doorbell and camera, and I close and lock our bedroom door. It’s so hard, but I can sleep knowing he can’t get out without setting off an alarm.”

Take Other Steps To Keep Your Loved One Safe

There are other steps you can take to keep a loved one with Alzheimer’s safe. These include:

• Medical ID bracelets — These can have essential information, like emergency contact phone numbers.
• Tracking devices — These can help locate your loved one if they manage to wander off.
• Safety gates and netting — Installing safety gates or netting in bright colors near stairs can help keep a loved one with Alzheimer’s from falling.
• Night lights — These can reduce confusion in the dark.
• Safe outdoor spaces — Create areas where they can explore safely and enjoy being outdoors.
• Signs or images — Place these on doors to explain what they are for.

If you’re still worried about the safety of your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, talk to your health care team for advice.

Never Leave a Person With Alzheimer’s Locked in and Alone

It’s important to never lock a loved one with Alzheimer’s in a room or home by themselves. People with Alzheimer’s are 60 percent to 80 percent more likely to fall than those without cognitive impairment. This can put their safety and well-being at risk, especially during emergencies like fires. It can also make them feel anxious and could hurt themselves.

Find Your Team

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Have you installed a new lock or alarm to protect your loved one with Alzheimer’s? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.