Living with Alzheimer’s disease — or caring for someone who does — brings unique challenges that go far beyond memory loss. Everyday tasks like cooking, managing finances, or simply locking the front door can suddenly become confusing or even dangerous. Home should be a place of safety and comfort, but for individuals with Alzheimer’s, it can also hold hidden risks if proper precautions aren’t taken.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder – one that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills of the sufferer. Eventually, Alzheimer’s will lead to the inability to carry out the simplest everyday tasks. It’s a truly debilitating disease, and is cruelly also the most common cause of dementia. It’s most common in older people, and can affect anyone.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, difficulty with problem solving and challenging when multitasking of handling complicated tasks. As it progresses, the memory loss gets worse, causing confusion, language difficulties and trouble with daily activities. The most common being driving, cooking, managing finances, or using security systems. Even things as basic as locks can be a challenge.
Home Security Challenges with Alzheimer’s
Whether you are someone with Alzheimer’s living alone, or you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, home security can quickly become difficult to manage. The memory loss and confusion can make it difficult for people with Alzheimer’s to remember to do the basics – like locking doors and windows. Leaving entry points to the home can be a major concern not just for security, but for safety.
They will also start to struggle with using security systems. Remembering codes for alarm systems or to even set them at all becomes a monumental task, and something that doesn’t happen most of the time. Again, this is both a security and safety concern for everyone living there.
Then there are the simple things, like misplacing keys. Forgetting where they’ve left them around the house, or losing them outdoors is common, and means they could be handing criminals the literal keys to their belongings. Again, a serious security issue.
Another big issue is that, once the Alzheimer’s progresses, patients can be more prone to wondering. They might go out for a walk, but forget where they are or what they were doing, which leads to them being lost, confused and upset. It also means they’re vulnerable, outside in a world they don’t understand and can’t find their way around.
How Can a Locksmith Help?
Locksmiths don’t just get you into your house when you’ve lost your key. We’re there for all kinds of other things, including helping keep people safe in their homes. For people living with Alzheimer’s, there are a few things we can help with.
Specialised Locks for wondering: There are a wide variety of specialised locks that can be installed to prevent wandering. Electronic locks can be useful if you don’t want the sufferer to leave the house by themselves – as it allows carers to control who can come in and leave. There’s also something called a ‘confounding lock’, which require a code to exit the home as well as enter it. This is a big deterrent for wondering. If you don’t want to go down the lock-in route, you can opt for alarm-enabled locks, which trigger an alarm when the door is open and alert carers to potential wandering. Finally, you could opt for key fobs, which can be attached to anything and reduces the chance to lose keys. A locksmith can advise you on what the best option is for you, and install it all properly for you.
Other Reinforcements: Installing locks on windows to add an extra layer of security (as people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will often try to leave through the windows), which door reinforcements like new hardware, frame reinforcements or deadbolts can make doors more secure. Even little things like placing the lock at an unusual height on a door can make it more difficult for a person with Alzheimer’s to operate, stopping them from wondering. On the other hand, there are certain locks that have been designed for people with limited dexterity. So if your aim is to keep the person with Alzheimer’s independent as long as possible, there will be a solution there too. Speaking with your locksmith will allow them to work out what works best for you, your needs and the best interests of the Alzheimer’s patient, and recommend the right solution.
At My Locks Locksmith, we always love helping out the people who need it most. If you or a loved one are struggling with home security, we would be happy to help. Just get in touch to book your free consultation, and see what solutions we can offer you.