Do toddler door knob covers work?

Jeff H

Do toddler door knob covers work or will my DW figure it out? How does a LO respond to seeing them? I don't need another battle. I'm sure it depends on the individual and what stage they are in. I'm just curious because I need something.

Goodlife2025

My DW late stage 5 is still able to work the child door knobs at our daughter's house. She has toddlers and the door knob covers have been on there for quite awhile. DW has a strong grip and is able to still get the knob to turn. Now understanding that the 18 month old grandson shouldn't go out the door just because he wants to is another subject. 🙄 They are likely more effective for others.

SDianeL

try a latch up high on the door. Many PWD don’t look up.

SDianeL

they make locks with padlocks that require a code: https://www.amazon.com/Combination-Padlock-Dementia-Friendly-Temporary/dp/B0CY8DFVLS

Michele P

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75534/do-toddler-door-knob-covers-work

They can open door knobs. As others have advised, try locks higher up on the door. Door chimes also are a good option that chime when the door is open. Put a gps tracker on her and make sure that your local police or sheriff’s department have a picture of her and information in a data base in the event she gets out and is missing. Ask about a gps tracking watch that is available through Project Life Saver. Start planning for the knobs on your stove. We had to remove them because our loved ones were turning on the stove and leaving it on. Even with the knobs removed, two different relatives with Alzheimer’s were able to use a tool to turn them on!

blacksparky

I tried door alarms and door knob covers but neither one worked. I now have double keyed locks on both entry doors so she can’t leave. I have a key at each door hanging on a hook hidden from her. I also have a lockbox located outside of our front door that emergency crews can use to gain entrance if for some reason I can’t get to the door. My next step is to order one of those emergency fall necklaces for myself to wear as my DW would have no idea how to call 911 if I were to hurt myself.

Jeff H

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/267823#Comment_267823

Thank you!

persevere

Jeff, we have an alarm system that has door chimes. My DW is never out of someone's view for more than 20 or 30 seconds when she's on her feet. For those times where she does go to the door and open it when she's out of site the chime goes off. 90% of the time she's just opening it and closing it. There are times where she sort of walks out but she kind of knows not to I think. I use the deadbolt to slow her down if it gets repetitive. I'm always afraid of putting big locks up top that will just frustrate her but I can understand where it might be necessary. As for nighttime if you're afraid of her getting out of bed while you're asleep I have a cheap motion detector I got off amazon. Just set the sensor right under the bed where she would get up and keep the alarm box with you on your night stand or you can carry it with you to other parts of the house. I also have a baby monitor and I use my airpods for monitoring if she's sleeping somewhere and i want to move around.

Jeff H

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/267840#Comment_267840

Thank you!

annie51

There are a lot of good ideas here. I was looking at the toddler door knob covers but decided to get a lock instead.

I bought this lock from Amazon and put it high on the door. My DH never noticed it. When he tried to unlock the door at night, he didn’t know why it wouldn’t open but he didn’t get upset. Just went on to something else. It saved me many times from lying awake all night.

https://a.co/d/00LwDyaK

TooYoungForThis64

I installed toddler knobs on our doors (have a 2yo grandson). My DH once told a home health person, "All I have to do is get some needlenose pliers and I can open them." Back to the drawing board! I ended up getting a door knob to the garage where all of his tools are that requires a code from either side in order to open. Never told him any of the codes, and made sure all family had separate codes so he wouldn't figure it out. I also installed door chimes on any door I was concerned about. Blink cameras, too. I think the coded doorknob frustrated him, but he never complained. In the long run, all of the precautions at least made me more comfortable. I pray you find something that works for you.