Mom, who is 92 years young, is still functional but has early stage dementia, is awake all night and sleeps all day. She has always enjoyed walking and is now trying to do it in the middle of the night. We had the alarm system set to sound when an exterior door opens, but she still insists on leaving the house. If we could some how lock the doors in a way she could not unlock them at night, it would prevent a daily heated discussion. I have even said that the bears, which are in the area, feed at night. She initially stopped trying to walk but eventually that didn't work anymore. Putting locks up high won't work, she will get a chair or something and attempt to climb up onto it. I sleep on the couch at night so I am available to help when needed, but she insists on taking "her walks". We live in a rural area and there are no street lights, curbs or sidewalks. It is very dangerous for her to be on the roads when it is dark. There is no reasoning with her about the danger, she simply says "I don't care, I'll be fine". We have attempted to change her sleeping habits to no avail. We bought a recumbent bike which she used several times and and then said " I want the fresh air". I am hoping that if we can secure the doors, she will eventually realize walking at night is not an option. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Also, something you may already be doing. Have a real good current photo with vital statistics in case you need it. Don't wait to call 911 if she gets out.
Something else I thought of, and I don't know if this would be within the realm of possibility. Have a screened porch with a locked door that she could sit in.
True story: when dad's dementia was to the stage that he was wandering my husband installed deadbolts on the door that operated with a key and then told mom to put the key somewhere where she could get to it easily but he couldn't. She apparently couldn't come up with any ideas so she just kept the key in the lock. Needless to say, that didn't help in the least.
I have heard that a full size "STOP" sign posted on the door will help. I've also heard of the black mat being mistaken for a hole. Hang a big chain across the door from hooks on either side of the door frame. Maybe several at different levels, using a carabiner or something difficult for her to open.
Don't worry about emergency personnel. If they need in a house, a locked door will not even slow them down.
I would also recommend working harder to keep her awake during the day. No naps whatsoever if possible. Get her a manual treadmill, one that is not electric will only walk at the speed she maintains. Take walks with her, or do as they did on King of Queens, and have a dogwalker take her for walks! I always thought that was so funny.
Maybe you need a motion detector that will have a louder siren than your security system beeping. Maybe that will startle her into staying inside.
Are there any easy chores she could do to help you, chores must be done during day night. If she starts to doze off, carefully awaken her and just walk around the house. Would it be possible for you to go outside mid-morning and take her for a walk, then again mid-afternoon. After all that, Mom might sleep through the night. It's worth trying.
go out that way, she couldn't get out of the yard. I am also lucky that I live in town and the neighbors all know she is batty and keep an eye out for her. If your mom isn't afraid of bears, how about prowlers/buglers? Tell her there has been a prowler in the neighborhood and she has to stay inside or he will "get" her.