Locking doors okay? Gates? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Zoeygirl1118 · 09-11-2006, 11:17 AM

I too am sole caregiver for my 85 YO aunt who has AD late 6 going into 7. She too wanders. I would like to ask here if locking the door from the outside would seem wrong?

I have thought about it, but have not done it yet. As for now, I have a gate maybe 10 feet outside her door so she cant really go anywhere , only up to that gate. While, its working to keep her safe by not being able to wander around the house or fall down stairs, it's still not good as far as disturbing others in the home who's bedrooms might be off the hall where she would walk back and forth and just call for me.

I was thinking about putting maybe a hook and eye on the outside of her door so that she cant come out at all. But, for some reason the thought of it kind of seems not right. Anyone ever do this and how did it work out for you?

Thank you for replying when you can.

ZoeyGirl1118

Martha H · 09-15-2006, 06:13 PM

Dear Zoey,

I think it's OK to lock doors and gates. It is important to keep the person from wandering away. My brother's MIL was found on a busy hghway in New York, at night, in a thin nightdgown, '"walking to Florida to see my son."

My own Mom got lost several times and was not found for hours.

Anything you can do to keep them safe is OK.

Good luck with it.

love,

Martha

georgie04 · 09-15-2006, 11:47 PM

Zoey, I was just reading an article about this. It was an interview with the director of a nursing home. Basically, her opinion was that when AD patients at this stage wake up, they are completely disoriented and go to seek something familiar (which, in your Aunt’s case, would be you). She said that they had a lot of success by using night lights, continuous play CDs of old familiar music, and even TV (which would drive me crackers). So that when they wake up they can see where they are and hear something familiar, which gives them some orientation. Apparently patients with these sorts of aids slept for much longer.

Obviously you cannot have the entire household being woken up all night every night – sleep deprivation does terrible things to you and will make it even harder to cope.

If I were you I would discuss the problem with her doctor. It could well be, under these circumstances, that sleep medication would be a kinder alternative? At any rate, I would feel more comfortable getting a professional opinion about what to do to alleviate any doubts you have. I have no experience of this problem (yet) so sorry if you have tried all the above already!!

regards
Georgie