So far we've had no problems with DH "escaping" without my knowledge but looking ahead I'm thinking I might should have an alarm, special lock, door knob like we used when the kids were small...just wondering what others do or could suggest. I have a friend who improvises an alarm system with various things to make noise. I'm thinking something simple! Easy is good! Just want something effective. TKS!
I have double keyed deadbolts on my doors and I keep the key in my pocket during the day and in my bedside table at night. At first my husband was a little upset by the fact he couldn't open the doors, but now it doesn't affect him at all. This has worked well for us.
Audrey, I also have the double keyed deadbolts on all outside doors all set for the SAME key and every one of my relatives who comes for overnight gets his/her own key and I keep my key on my person constantly as do the relatives. My husband tried the door knobs then would go sit down, then get up and try again, and go sit down.....This is the only way of making certain that they can't leave. With noise makers or alarms, you will know that they are leaving, but I wasn't physically able to stop him from leaving. So I had to have the deadbolts. They sell them at Lowe's and Home Depot.
My husband would never stand for me holding onto the key. He wants to go out when he wants to go out. Fortunately for me, he doesn't wander, but I imagine that will be coming someday. Everything the books say to do I cannot seem to do. He must be a different type of dementia patient, for all I know. There is nothing docile about him. He's in charge, even when he isn't, if that makes sense.
I bought the childproof doorknob covers from Walmart. My husband couldn't figure out how to operate the doorknob with the cover on and couldn't figure out how to get the cover off. It proved to be a very inexpensive solution and it works really well for us.
That's what I will do when needed. Now, I'll just have to learn how to use them myself..... My daughter had them on her doors for the grandkids when they were little.