Expert: Paula Damgaard - 2/23/2004

Question
My mother-in-law has alzheimer's and has 24 hour care at home. The problem is that she sometimes wanders and has slipped out of the house. Where can we find latches, locks, or whatever to help keep her in her house?

Answer
Patricia,  you have several options.  One is to go to your local hardware store or someplace like Lowe's or Home Depot and buy inexpensive hook and ring type locks that you could put on the doors.  The trick is to put them above eye level.  She will look for the locks in the "normal" places but not to think to look up.  Of course you will have to place them when she isn't looking.

The other place to look is at the web site alz-store.com.  They have several things that you could buy for her to help keep her secure.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck.  Paula