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AndrewH Asked July 2014

Looking for a simple door lock/security device. Any advice?

That can be accessed from either side for a resident/home application.

Caregiver99 Jul 2014
The geriatric hospital with which I am familiar have a two latch system that can be operated on either side. one is at no0rmal level and the other is placed high up on the door, almost at the top. Operating both latches simultaneously will open the door from either side.

In the majority of cases this arrangement precludes wanderers that would not be safe outside the therapeutic community from opening doors and going astray.

It need not be a lock, only a latch, preferably with handles or levers, with the topmost one operated in the upward direction and the lower one in a downward direction. It need not cost the earth, since most handy persons will find it easy to fit a rim-latch.

KathyR Jul 2014
Oops! That was suppose to be inexpensive slide lock. Sorry.

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KathyR Jul 2014
I have an expensive slide lock waaay up high on the exterior doors. That's ok if the person is short like my Mom. On the bedrooms that we don't want her in we have a bedroom door lock that has a (key) that you put in the little hole in the outside knob and either push or turn. We keep it on a hook or nail way up high next to the frame of the same door. Mom likes to go in other bedrooms and take a nap.

mar126 Jul 2014
I put double keyed deadbolts on all exterior doors. Home Depot will rekey the locks to your original key for about $5 each. Everyone who visits is given a key to wear around their neck in case of emergency. This is great for your peace of mind. Keep the old locks and change back before you sell the house.

inspector3500 Jul 2014
What you can use depends on which door you are wanting to lock. A quick phone call to your city/county building department should answer your questions.

ie: Exterior doors can have a keyed dead bolt both sides except for one door must have a thumb latch on the interior side instead of a keyed dead bolt.

PinkLA Jul 2014
I put a child safety cap over the door in my mom's room. I can open it but with her frail hands she is unable to open it. We found it at home depot.
We also have alarms on all of our doors that chime/alarm when opened. Those are great if you want to be awakened all night long by your alarm going off. We found that the child safety cap works great and she can't open her down to the outdoors any longer.

Reverseroles Jul 2014
I bought A key pad lock and put it on my basement door backwoods so my mother can't fall down there . All I Have to do is press 2 numbers to open it myself and on the other side is always open

ElenasElderCare Jul 2014
There are also alarm pads available to use in the bed. Just place it under the sheet or pillow and you will hear it every time when the person gets off the bed. Depending on where that person is going you might consider a small alarm to use under the door of bedroom. Yes, you will hear annoying sound when door is closed or open.

ElenasElderCare Jul 2014
You can't use deadbolt -- in emergency situation it is vital to be able to escape from the house or, for that matter, for ambulance/police department to be able to come in.
You can buy an alarm for every door/window. It is about $7-$8 in Home Depot and easy to install. The second option would be to hire somebody to stay at home over night -- it will give you chance to rest. One more option is to find locked-in facility.

pamstegma Jul 2014
A deadbolt with keyed operation on both sides. See your locksmith.

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