Older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia may experience feelings of confusion or disorientation that can cause them to wander away from their home or caregiver in search of something familiar. If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia who wanders or tries to leave the house, a dementia door alarm is an excellent option to keep them safe and limit wandering.

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Benefits of dementia door alarms

Door security for dementia patients is commonly achieved through the use of locks or alarms. While locking mechanisms can be effective means to keep a loved one from wandering outside, there’s also the concern of how someone would safely be able to get out of the house in the event of a fire or other emergency. An alarm, on the other hand, can allow a person to exit and also signal that they need assistance.

Some other benefits of door alarms for dementia patients include:

Maximizing safety. Once installed, the alarm will alert you when your loved one opens the door, so you know when to check on them and can better keep them from wandering outside.
Preserving independence. A door alarm can help your loved one maintain their sense of self sufficiency and independence by letting them live their day more freely, without constant oversight.
Enabling more efficient care. Alarms help ensure that you can be there when your loved one needs you instead of constantly watching over them, which gives you time to tend to other care-related tasks such as food preparation, booking appointments, and keeping up with their housekeeping and laundry needs.

Different types of door alarms for dementia patients

Among the variety of door alarms for dementia patients, different settings help you monitor your loved one’s whereabouts, alert you when they need assistance, and keep them from opening certain doors.

Here are some of the different types of door alarms:

Magnetic door alarms sound off when a door opens and disconnects the magnet from the sensor/switch.
Keypad locks require a specific code to lock and unlock a door, and some models can notify a caregiver of any door activity with beeps and LED lights.
Floor sensor mats have a sensor pad on the floor that triggers an alarm when someone steps on it.
GPS alert systems provide location tracking and send immediate alerts for wandering and unfamiliar places.
Remote sounding alarms sound away from the door to notify the caregiver without startling the person trying to exit.
String alarms activate when a door opens and detaches a magnet-positioned string from the alarm on the door frame.

Top-rated dementia door alarms

Choosing the right alarm system to provide door security for dementia patients can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top-rated dementia door alarms on the market, and we’ve highlighted some of the pros and cons to help make your decision easier.

Lewis N. Clark Travel Door Alarm

The Lewis N. Clark Travel Door Alarm is a versatile and portable string alarm that can be a great option to bring along when traveling with a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Simply set the device’s two prongs on either side of a door, and it will loudly sound off when the alarm is triggered.

Additional features include:

Installation-free setup
Fairly low price
Portable design

Some of the common cons reported include:

Low alarm strength
Incompatibility with certain door types

Lewis N. Clark’s Travel Door Alarm falls in the price range of $10 to $20.

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GE Personal Security Window/Door Alarm

The GE Personal Security Window/Door Alarm is a magnetic door alarm that can be installed to any door and window in your home. The alarm’s 120-decibel, high-pitched alarm quickly — and loudly — alerts you if your loved one opens an armed door or window.

Additional features include:

Three modes: alarm, chime, and off
Battery operated
Built-in battery life checker
Tool-free installation

Some of the common cons reported include:

Immediate shut-off after door closes
Alarm shrillness can cause discomfort to loved ones and caregivers

The GE Personal Security Window/Door Alarm ranges in price from $12 to $29.

Fosmon WaveLink 51007HOM Wireless Door Open Chime

The Fosmon WaveLink is a complete door alarm equipped with a transmitter to detect a door opening as well as a receiver with the alarm chime and an LED indicator for people with hearing loss. The device offers a coverage area up to 400 square feet, and it has 52 tones to choose from.

Additional features include:

Easy installation
Stated lifetime guarantee
Volume control setting

Some of the common cons reported include:

Limited selection of chimes
Some reviews claiming that the alarm suddenly stops working

The Fosmon WaveLink usually falls within a price range of $19 to $43.

Wsdcam Wireless Door Alarm with Remote

The Wsdcam’s Wireless Door Alarm is a multipurpose device with a remote controller that can connect to multiple alarms in the home. The 105-decibel alarm is loud enough to get your attention if your loved one sets it off.

Additional features include:

Battery operated
Four modes: arm, disarm, panic, and doorbell mode
Easy installation

Some of the common cons reported include:

Higher cost compared to other alarms on this list
Intense volume level, even in doorbell mode

The cost of Wsdcam’s Wireless Door Alarm ranges from $11 to $36.

SECRUI M508+D7 Door Chime

The SECRUI Door Chime has ample coverage with a 500-foot operating range. The device’s volume can be set up to 100 decibels, and its compact size makes it easy to install on any door or window.

Additional features include:

52 chime options
Volume control
Easy installation
Multicolored alarms for those with hearing impairments

Some of the common cons reported include:

Electric outlet connection required
Incompatibility with some older door frames
Higher cost compared to other options listed above

SECRUI’s Door Chime has a price range of $25 to $50.

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Keeping your loved ones safe and protected

Everyone living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia is at risk for wandering, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Although completely preventing wandering can be challenging, having a safety plan in mind and using home products like door alarms for dementia patients can help you reduce this risk and provide peace of mind.

Memory care is another option to help with wandering. Memory care units are equipped to provide 24-hour supervised care, and facility layouts are designed to minimize the chances of wandering. Our local Senior Care Advisors can help connect you with memory care communities in your area and answer any questions you may have, if you decide to explore this option.

Sources

Alzheimer’s Association. Wandering.

Lai, C. Arthur, D. (2003, October 02). Wandering behavior in people with dementia. Journal of Advanced Nursing.

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Meet the Author

Haleigh Behrman

Haleigh Behrman is a copywriter at OurParents. She focuses on senior living community types and services, healthy aging, and caregiving tips and trends. Before joining OurParents, she managed several community-focused print publications and a wedding magazine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom (of which OurParents is a trademark) and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

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