Hello,
I haven't posted here for a LONG time. My mother has Alzheimer's and lives in a dementia care home. Thanks to God's foresight and my dad's investment wisdom, we can afford to allow my mother to live as comfortably as possible.

Anyway, she leaves her apartment and goes to lunch or activites, but when she comes back to her apartment the door has been locked by staff and she has to ask to be let in. I would like to replace the doorknob on her apartment door with some kind of electronic lock that would stay locked until it detects a radio frequency from a wristband or necklace, which would cause the lock to "unlock". This way it would stay locked and keep out the "wanderers" and only unlock for my mother.

Is there a product like that? I KNOW that it's possible at least in theory, because the dementia unit of where my mother lives is essentially a lockdown unit and the main entrance door does exactly the OPPOSITE of what I want - that is, the entrance door remains unlocked for visitors, but immediately LOCKS when a resident approaches because they all wear a radio bracelet.

So, I know it's a simple concept but whether or not it's commercially available is another matter - but that's what I hope you can point me to...where can I buy one?

Thanks in advance,
Doug Haeussler
Overland Park, Kansas

Hopefully someone can give you a specific suggestion.

But if not, try calling a commercial security firm that handles locks and other building security for businesses.

There's a lot of technology that you just don't run across in a residential setting that could be adapted, I'm sure.

For example, there are devices called proximity locks, where you simply press a card against a scanner next to the door. Obviously that wouldn't work for your mom, but there are probably versions that automatically open when they sense approach by someone wearing the device within, say, three feet.

Grassflower, thanks for that. I hadn't thought of contacting a commercial security firm. I'll try doing some more Google searches, but I still wonder if anyone has run across a door lock like I described.

Like I said, the technology obviously exists. I just wonder about a unit for an apartment door.

Incidentally, I submitted the same question to the customer service contact over at the Alzheimer's Store. It's Saturday so I wouldn't expect an answer until Monday at the earliest. If I get a useful answer from them I'll post it here.

Doug:

Two thoughts spring to mind.

1. The facility might frown upon changing the doorknob if it will cause any undue confusion or extra work for staff. (ie, they have to keep track of a special extra device, if it takes extra time to open during an emergency, etc.)

2. Since the main doors work "in reverse" of what you want, is it possible that your Mom's bracelet could be programmed to open *just one door* (hers) using the same hardware & technology already in place within the building? Don't try to reinvent the wheel - instead, adapt what you already have!

I doubt that the facility would go for this. They obviously have to let your mother in the front door. Maybe they would allow a lock with a keypad that they open for her.

Keep in mind...your mother might be the wanderer some day.

Thank you Thimbelle and Always, yes I know that they may not go for it. But whenever you present a proposal to the administrative powers it's always better to have specifics on hand. That's why I wanted to know the availability of such a lock prior to suggesting its implementation. I think I'm on to such a lock at www.nokey.com. If not, mom's dementia is so bad now that it's the least of my worries.
Thanks and love to you all.