Front door locks

Jazzajon

New member
Aug 25, 2021
2
0
My Mum has dementia but lives on her own home with support and visits every day. She often leaves the front door key in the front door lock. This means that I cant open her front door with the key I have. This week she was unwell and struggled to get to the front door to let me in. The front door is a pretty new UPVC model. I've asked her not to leave her key in the front door but she forgets and I think she likes leaving it there because she can't lose it (which she has done many times). I would like to change the front door lock so that she can't leave the key in the lock and where I will always be able to get in. Can members recommend a solution, or the brand of a lock that might fit?
 

nitram

Registered User
Apr 6, 2011
30,075
0
Bury


Take care that you order one with the correct dimension on thumbscrew end, you don't want thumbscrew on the outside.
 

MartinWL

Registered User
Jun 12, 2020
2,025
0
67
London
Another term for tyo of lock you need is a "snib" lock, meaning the same as a thumbturn lock.

I have the same issue with my dad. I have not changed the lock because there is a glazed panel and it would be easy to break the glass to gain entry. However that may have to be a secondary consideration in time.
 

Nachim

New member
May 2, 2022
1
0
My in laws have daily care support, they have dementia. We have fitted a small key safe at the side of the house, I expect somebody you already know this. It works well for us as the carers can lock the door when they leave.
The key safe can be accessed with a password agreed with the care company.
 

MartinWL

Registered User
Jun 12, 2020
2,025
0
67
London
My in laws have daily care support, they have dementia. We have fitted a small key safe at the side of the house, I expect somebody you already know this. It works well for us as the carers can lock the door when they leave.
The key safe can be accessed with a password agreed with the care company.
This is a good solution for providing carers with access but it is not the solution to the original problem raised. The difficulty is, how to prevent a person with dementia from wandering off, or from leaving a key in the inside of the lock so that nobody can enter, without also preventing him or her from escaping the property in emergency. A snib lock or thumbturn lock can achieve this.
 

Shedrech

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
12,649
0
UK
Hello @Nachim
A warm welcome to DTP

I agree it's useful to have a key safe installed

Now you've joined our supportive community I hope you'll keep posting ... sharing experiences and ideas is always helpful
 

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