9 Best Door Locks for Dementia Patients

One of the better-known symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia is the tendency to wander, posing a serious risk of putting themselves in danger. People with dementia often forget crucial information about who they are and where they live. At home, preventing them from wandering is an added chore and stressor for millions of caregivers.

For highly active or mobile persons with dementia, a caregiver may find it challenging to keep tabs on their every move. A combination of perfectly placed locks and alarms throughout the home can go a long way to adding the level of protection and safety needed. That’s why we’re interested in the best door locks for dementia patients – the ones that work and make life easier for everyone.

Caregivers must weigh out the benefits of these locks with the potential risk of never seeing their loved one again or putting them at risk of injury. Using a door lock does not mean confinement. These locks can be helpful in controlling their whereabouts around the home to ensure they are always safe. This could include preventing their access to a cabinet full of toxic cleaners or medications, or stopping them from going outdoors where there may be many hazards or exit points.

Certain strategies may help deter someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia from bolting through an exit. For example, painting a door to appear like a bookshelf is one strategy used by memory care facilities. You can also place tall plants in front of exits. This alone is not foolproof and the degree of effectiveness is highly contingent on the person’s cognitive impairment.

We have gathered 9 locks for every door type imaginable to better control access to certain rooms, your front door, the yard, and even cabinets around your home.

Best Locks for Dementia Patients

Addalock Portable Door Lock

The Portable Door Lock 2Pack offers enhanced security and privacy for various settings such as homes, apartments, or for on the road in hotels and Airbnb’s. It is made from durable stainless steel and rugged ABS plastic.

It can be easily installed or removed without needing any tools whatsoever, making it a convenient and quick solution, even in emergencies or low-light conditions. The lock fits different door types, safeguarding against unwanted intrusions and ensuring your loved one’s safety.

It is ideal for situations in homes with multiple residents and where the individual with dementia tends to barge in on others. Its compact size and portability, with two included locks, make it a versatile security accessory for individuals traveling or living alone.

The customer reviews for the Portable Door Lock highlight its effectiveness in enhancing security and peace of mind, especially for travelers. Users found it easy to use and appreciated its sturdiness, ease, and portability. Some reviewers mentioned that it works best on newer doors and could be slightly challenging on older ones due to alignment issues.

Door Lever Lock

The Tuut Door Lever Lock, available in a convenient two-pack, is perfectly designed to prevent individuals from opening doors with lever handles. Although it is marketed for children, it is perfectly suited to act as a deterrent for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, as they may find it confusing. It features a patented technology that requires pressing buttons for locking and unlocking, which ensures that others cannot accidentally lock adults out of a room.

The lock is easy to install using damage-free 3M adhesive, blending seamlessly into any room’s design. Tuut offers an exclusive lifetime guarantee, promising a full refund if you’re not completely satisfied with the product. This safety door lever lock is designed to fit most handles and can be quickly installed by peeling and sticking it in place with the 3M adhesive. If you need to remove it in the future, you can follow specific instructions to avoid paint and door damage.

Customers are generally satisfied with this door lock, and many users praised the lock for being easy to install and remove, as well as for its functionality. Overall, customers view it as a valuable tool for preventing accidents or unauthorized access.

Defender Security U 10827 Reinforcement Lock

The next door lock for dementia or Alzheimer’s is the Defender Security U 10827 Reinforcement Lock. This particular door lock is designed to withstand 800 lbs of force, which helps enhance home security for you.

Moreover, the installation of this security lock is extremely easy and simple. The lock comes with 3″ hardened screws to provide extra security, but the installation remains easy. Overall, the lock provides plenty of peace of mind to ensure that loved one remains safe within the four walls of your home. 

It can be installed high up on the doors where dementia or Alzheimer patients cannot reach it efficiently, but it also doesn’t budge even with despite excessive picking or bumping once it is in the locked position.

Many customers found this lock easy to install on both swing-in and slidable doors. Keep your home and older adult safe and add this added layer of security, which this Defender Security Satin Nickel U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock provides. You can watch the installation video for tips and instructions to ensure the utmost security of your home and patient.

samtechT Smart Lock

The samtechT Smart Lock is a versatile and secure keyless entry door lock system that offers code flexibility, fingerprint unlocking, and access monitoring. The ability to generate five types of codes through the Smart Lock app, including permanent, custom, temporary, cyclic, and one-time codes, provides flexibility for various access needs. The learnable fingerprint unlocking feature allows for quick access in less than 0.3 seconds, and it offers multiple ways to unlock, including passcode, key card, wireless fob, smartphone, and traditional key.

The Smart Lock app also provides access logs, showing detailed information about who enters and exits. You can do without traditional keys and enjoy the convenience of managing access digitally. The product comes with a satisfaction guarantee, including a 30-day money-back guarantee, a one-year product warranty, and lifetime customer support, making it a reliable and user-friendly choice for smart home security.

Customers generally find the samtechT Smart Lock to be easy to install, versatile, and full of features for securing their doors. For family caregivers, it means better access control to your loved one’s entry and exit. Many customers find the variety of unlocking methods to be both accurate and functional. They say the instructions are simple and the lock itself is easy to use, and the phone app is intuitive and easy to navigate.

Customers were also impressed with the performance of the lock, saying the fingerprint reader works flawlessly. The lock provides flexibility and ease of use with features like assigning temporary or one-time codes and access logs for monitoring, which could be wonderful for persons with multiple caregivers. Some users faced issues with battery replacement, but overall, it appears to be a valuable and cost-effective smart lock option with a few minor caveats.

Sliding Door Security Bar

This Sliding Door Security Bar is probably one of the best in business. While most doors in the house are hinged, the patio doors are the ones that usually slide.

This door lock is adjustable and extends from 15.7 to 26.75 inches easily. This feature allows users to leave a sliding door partially open for ventilation while still being locked and providing the utmost security.

Its snug fit makes it ideal for multiple doors, and its anti-lift lock mechanism adds a layer of protection, making it difficult for anyone to tamper with the bar without first disengaging the lock.

While the features are great, the name of the company itself is enough to let the exceptional working of this bar define itself. Ideal Security is a trusted name in the door-locking business and holds over 60 years of experience, which homeowners have come to rely upon.

Customers generally find the patio door security bar to be effective and reliable. They praise its sturdiness and ease of installation, with some mentioning that it’s an excellent replacement for old security bars. The security bar’s ability to keep the door locked and its simple operation are highlighted as key benefits. Some customers recommend making minor modifications, such as adding Velcro or sturdy screws, for added security and convenience.

Sliding Glass Door Lock

Next on our list of high-quality door locks for dementia patients is the sliding glass door lock. This lock is perfect for sliding doors or hung sliding windows. Not only is this lock known to withstand pulls and tugs, but it is also pretty popular because of its safe design and durability.

This door lock is installed beside a door shelf and works when you press its double buttons together. This ensures that the sliding glass door lock doesn’t open easily by the cognitively impaired patients in your home.

With its high-end ABS plastic stainless-steel spring and a firm 3m adhesive tape, this lock will never lose its effectiveness or strength when it comes to routinely opening or closing your windows or sliding doors every day, and that too easily.

Apart from this, the installation of this product is relatively simple, too. All you have to do is find a clean surface area on your window or sliding doors to affix this lock, peel off the 3M tape, and then stick the device onto your desired place. It is as simple as that.

Customers are highly satisfied with the sliding door/window locks, and praise their simplicity. They found the locks easy to install and appreciate how they make doors and windows impassable. The locks are described as simple, strong, and easy to operate, making them an excellent choice for safety measures. Some customers even use them in various locations, such as campers and throughout their homes.

Cabinet Lock

The I-EASYDWW Cabinet Combination Lock is a versatile and convenient security solution for various applications. This keyless lock offers advanced security with 1,000 possible combinations, eliminating the need for keys or padlocks. It is made of high-quality materials, including solid zinc alloy with a multi-layer coating for corrosion resistance, ensuring durability and reliability over time. Installation is a breeze, with the default password set to 000 and the ability to customize it when the lock is in the unlocked state.

It can be installed on small doors, cabinets, barn doors, bathrooms, and even outdoor settings, providing a flexible security solution. Plus, it’s suitable for both left and right installations, making it adaptable to your specific needs. With its multifunctional design, this password lock can be used as a file cabinet lock, drawer lock, mailbox lock, and more, making it a versatile and secure choice for various settings.

Customers found the lock to be functional, durable, easy to install, and effective for cabinets. They also appreciated the clear instructions provided. Others noted the locking mechanism could be finicky and questioned its suitability for outdoor use. They noted its construction and smooth locking mechanism as desirable features.

Keyless Doorknob with Electronic KeyPad

The Keypad Door Knob Lock by YELOCK is a versatile and user-friendly electronic door lock suitable for a variety of doors, materials, and settings, including bedrooms, studies, basements, offices, hotels, and more. Installation is straightforward, requiring only a screwdriver and following the user manual’s provided steps, without the need to drill extra holes. The lock features an anti-slip handle designed for aesthetics and functionality, making it easy for anyone to use. It has an automatic locking retractor so that the door locks automatically after 2.5 seconds of opening.

The lock is weatherproof (IP65-rated), suitable for use in any weather condition, and offers additional features such as silent mode, low battery alert, password anti-peeking, and a backlight keyboard for easy operation in the dark. Users can unlock the door with a passcode or a spare key, providing flexibility for different access scenarios.

It offers multiple user codes and visitor modes, allowing for easy access management. With features like password camouflage, automatic locking, and the ability to withstand various temperatures and weather conditions, this lock ensures safety and comfort. It also provides a silent mode for those times when you don’t want to be disturbed.  Customers of this lock appreciate its versatility and easy installation, although a few also noted the lock was a bit stiff initially.

First Watch Security Slide

The First Watch Security Slide Latch Door Lock Bolt in Satin Nickel is a secure and reliable door lock solution designed for flush or recessed doors, French doors, and gates. Customers have generally positive feedback, and appreciate its versatility and the two different ways it can secure the latch, approaches that work well for French doors.

Its sleek and stylish satin nickel finish adds sophistication to any interior while ensuring enhanced security. Its smooth slide latch mechanism ensures effortless operation, and its versatility allows for use in a wide range of applications, from interior doors to cabinets and closets. This lock represents the heritage of Belwith Keeler, known for its century-long excellence in hardware solutions, promising a combination of security, style, and craftsmanship that enhances any space.

Users also like the clean and unobtrusive appearance of the surface bolts, making it easy to lock doors without modifying the door or handles. Customers felt the installation was straightforward, with one customer saying they were able to install it in about five minutes. There are some concerns about the screws being sensitive to stripping, which can impact the effectiveness of the product and lead to difficulties in sliding the bolt. Having additional screws on hand may help.

In Conclusion

If you are someone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, consider adding these locks to your arsenal of tools to protect them from danger, and give everyone peace of mind.

The majority of the locks on this list are easy to install, are versatile across door and window types, and have exceptional value. Some of these keypad locks are ideal for the comings and goings of multiple caregivers, while the design of others creates enough confusion and complexity to prevent your loved one from attempting an exit. What’s more, some of these locks can be taken on the go on your travels, should you need them.