Carer can't get in when Mum leaves key in the door

[KatFox]

Hi everyone - I hope you're all doing OK today. I hav an challenge and I don't know if there is a solution for it but here goes....

My Mum has Alzheimers and lives alone at the mo - she has regular visitors and carers - however she's recently not been waking up till late and this is causing issues when the carers need to get access. Mum leaves her key in the door and doesn't feel well enough to get out of bed - so although I have a key store it can't be used with a key in the other side.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do? is there a miracle door where you can have 2 keys in the same time?

I'd love to hear any ideas as I don't think this is going to go away.

Many thanks

 

[Izzy]

Welcome to the forum.

I’m sorry to hear you’re having this issue re the lock. I wondered if it would be possible to change the lock to another type which doesn’t require a key inside to lock it. My total lack of practical knowledge prevents me from really knowing if this is a possibility! I looked it up and found something called a thumb turn lock. This is just one site I found - I’m not recommending the site but just posting it as an example -

How to ensure your elderly or at risk family members remain safe! - LockShop Blog

www.lockshopdirect.co.uk

 

[Palerider]

Hi everyone - I hope you're all doing OK today. I hav an challenge and I don't know if there is a solution for it but here goes....

My Mum has Alzheimers and lives alone at the mo - she has regular visitors and carers - however she's recently not been waking up till late and this is causing issues when the carers need to get access. Mum leaves her key in the door and doesn't feel well enough to get out of bed - so although I have a key store it can't be used with a key in the other side.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do? is there a miracle door where you can have 2 keys in the same time?

I'd love to hear any ideas as I don't think this is going to go away.

Many thanks

I had this problem with my mum, she would go to bed having left the key in the door. I got a locksmith to change the lock so if she left the key in I could still open it from the outside.

 

[Monday’s child]

Does she have a back door? I have resorted to putting both keys in the key safe as this has happened to me also.

 

[SeaSwallow]

You can get Thumb Key Locks which do not have a key on the inside but which still enable the door to be locked. This might help resolve the issue. However I believe that you have to let your insurer know if you are installing them.

 

[Bunpoots]

I installed a thumb turn lock for my dad to sort out this problem. I’ve not heard of it being an issue for insurance.

 

[KatFox]

I had this problem with my mum, she would go to bed having left the key in the door. I got a locksmith to change the lock so if she left the key in I could still open it from the outside.

oh wow that is exactly what I need - I will contact a local locksmith - and thank you

 

[Izzy]

oh wow that is exactly what I need - I will contact a local locksmith - and thank you

I hope it works for you - it’ll be a big sigh of relief for you!

 

[nitram]

You can get Thumb Key Locks which do not have a key on the inside but which still enable the door to be locked. This might help resolve the issue. However I believe that you have to let your insurer know if you are installing them.

When replacing euro cylinder it's better to spend a bit more and get a certified SoldSecure one, preferably Diamond standard

https://www.soldsecure.com/category/lock-cylinders/type/lock-cylinder

Some insurers don't like exit doors to be easily opened, get in through small opening, open exit door for quick easy exit with loot.
On the other hand emergency services don't like people searching for a key to get out quickly.

 

[Palerider]

oh wow that is exactly what I need - I will contact a local locksmith - and thank you

I am sure they will come up with a solution -just don't call them out at night or weekend -higher rates.

 

[nitram]

@KatFox

I am sure they will come up with a solution -just don't call them out at night or weekend -higher rates.

Changing a eurocylinder barrel is a simple DIY job.
With thumbturn make sure the thumbturn is on the inside.

 

[SMBeach]

Hi everyone - I hope you're all doing OK today. I hav an challenge and I don't know if there is a solution for it but here goes....

My Mum has Alzheimers and lives alone at the mo - she has regular visitors and carers - however she's recently not been waking up till late and this is causing issues when the carers need to get access. Mum leaves her key in the door and doesn't feel well enough to get out of bed - so although I have a key store it can't be used with a key in the other side.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do? is there a miracle door where you can have 2 keys in the same time?

I'd love to hear any ideas as I don't think this is going to go away.

Many thanks

Could you perhaps only give your mum a key for one or the other, back door or front door for her to use. And the carers only use the opposite door? That way your mum wouldn’t have a key for their door and they wouldn’t have a key for her door?

 

[try again]

I changed mums lock to a thumbnail one as she was forever doing this quite early on. You'd get no answer on the phone , rush round and find you couldn't get in to see if she was ok. It was a nightmare.
Luckily it was early enough for her to adjust to not needing a key on the inside as I replaced it when her purse and key was lost/pinched when she was able to go out on her own.

 

[Ranikora]

I solved this issue by buying a new cylinder that allows you to open the lock from one side even if the other key is in the lock. It comes with 5 keys so now several family members can check on my mum.

I can't post links yet as I'm too new, but this is the name and model: Yale YC2100 Double-Entry Lock Cylinder

For any door with a eurocylinder lock it's a simple case of taking out the existing eurocylinder barrel to measure it (so you've got the correct length) thenwhen it arrives just slot the new barrel in and do up the screw. The whole fitting process took less than 5 minutes and I'm not a DIYer!

 

[KatFox]

thank you @Ranikora - thats a great suggestion