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4 Unusual Ways to Keep an Elderly Loved One from Wandering

Senior Care in Weston FL: If your elderly loved one is prone to wandering, you may have to get creative to help keep her from doing so. Try one of these ideas if more typical solutions haven't worked.

Senior Care in Weston FL

Elderly loved ones with dementia are extremely likely to wander, which can be a difficult habit to curtail. Try some of these ideas.

Keep Essentials for Going out Put Away

Some elderly loved ones have to have specific items with them when they’re going out. This could be a jacket, a handbag, or even a particular pair of shoes. Try keeping those items put up out of sight from your loved one. This may inspire your loved one to stay put instead of trying to wander off randomly. You may have the best luck with this technique if you keep the item’s location secret.

Put Child Safe Door Knob Locks on Exterior Doors

Parents of toddlers and young children often use door knob locks that fit over the door knob like a cover. The lock requires the person opening the door to handle the door knob cover in a specific way in order to grasp and successfully turn the knob. Using one of these for your elderly loved one can help to keep her from being able to open exterior doors on her own.

Use a Key-only Deadbolt or a Hidden Lock

For some loved ones, keeping the door locked can be a sufficient deterrent if you can only manage to keep the door locked. One way to do this is to install a deadbolt lock that uses a key on both sides of the door to open it or to secure it. Another option that can also work is to install a sliding lock either much higher or much lower on the door than your loved one is likely to look. With this option, you don’t have to worry about where to stash a key.

Install Door Alarms

Another deterrent to consider could be door alarms. If your loved one’s home already has an alarm system, ask about installing door sensors that tie into the entire alarm system. Otherwise, you can install contact alarms yourself that are inexpensive. When the door opens, the alarm loses contact with the other portion and an alarm sounds. With this type of alert, your loved one may not stop, but you’ll know when the door is opened.

Let your loved one’s senior care providers know in advance if she’s prone to wandering. They can have other tips that might help and you’re giving them fair warning of what to expect.

If you or a family member are in need of senior care in Weston, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.

Stephen Sternbach

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