Door Chains as a Buffer for Elderly Residents at Home

When you have elderly family members (or people you look after) at home, it pays to protect them. Sometimes, older residents might put themselves in harm’s way unwittingly. They could over-extend for something that their balance does not allow; for those with potential cognitive issues, they might wander off when your back is turned. As such, it pays to invest in little protections that can keep them safe and give you peace of mind. That includes security implements like a door security chain.

If you are wondering how to use a chained door to help protect elderly residents in your home, read on. We conversed with professionals over at Locks & Hardware, who provided us with a fresh perspective on why a lockable door chain is such a wise investment. In the right conditions, this can almost certainly make sure that elderly family members or residents stay safe. Whether you have an elderly family member who lives alone and needs security or you live with them, read on for advice.

The Value Of Door Security Chains For Seniors

There are many ways in which a door security chain can come in handy for making life easier for your elderly family members or friends. For example:

• Security door chains make sure that elderly residents with cognitive impairments can stay in the house where they are safe. This avoids them potentially wandering off outdoors.
• Chains provide an extra layer of security so that doors are unlikely to be forced open or broken through. As such, elderly citizens are less likely to have their homes invaded.
• We all know that cold callers and scammers have a habit of targeting older people’s homes. They tend to be an easier target. Chains stop the door from being opened to the wrong people.
• Cautious elderly citizens can also protect themselves from opening the door to someone they would rather they did not. That includes people going door-to-door selling items!
• Screening visitors is imperative to reducing the risk of being caught up in a scam, a break-in, or a similar problem that could derail the quality of life for an elderly resident.

These are just a few of the reasons why it would make sense to install a door security chain. With the addition of improved door chains and locks, elderly residents are far less likely to be caught out by anyone, from an intruder to a bogus salesperson looking to capture them into a confusing contract.

The challenge, of course, is making sure that your choice of door security chain is good enough. With so many models on the market, how do you avoid buying a weak and easily broken-through door chain?

Door Security Chain Features That Matter In Elderly Care

There are certain features that you should take into account when you are selecting a door security chain for your elderly friends and/or family. Locks & Handles security experts recommend focusing on:

Proper Installation

Most door security chains come with easy-to-follow instructions for installation. That means that you should be able to follow the guide provided and have the door chain installed quickly. If you are not DIY-minded, though, it might be better to get a security professional, like a locksmith, to carry out the installation for you. Proper installation is essential to ensure your door chains and locks stand strong.

Ease Of Usage

You also want to make sure that the elderly citizen in question can use the chain easily enough – this is doubly true if they live on their own. Ease of use means that the height of the chain should be accounted for. Smaller people or those with disabilities and/or mobility issues might struggle to reach a high-up door security chain. Make sure that accessibility is taken into account here.

For those who will be living with the elderly resident, and worry they might escape from he property when they should be staying safe, you can take control of operating the door security chain.

Clear Visibility

Make sure that the elderly resident can clearly see the chain, too. If they tend to be quite forgetful, they could find themselves locked indoors because they forget to take the chain off the frame. If you are going to install a door security chain, make sure that the individual for whom it is installed is clear about where it is and what it looks like. That reduces the risk of them feeling trapped or lacking independence.

Physical Strength

Cheaper door locks and chains are not strong enough to resist physical impact. You need a chain that someone cannot barge through or simply flick to unlock. Make sure that any models you look at come with the right level of durability. That means buying a police-approved or Secured by Design door security chain.

Safe Opening

Lastly, make sure that the model you buy can open up enough when the chain is active. Most elderly residents will use the door chain as a way to peek out and see who is at the door and if they wish to speak to them.

If the chain is too short, the door may not be open enough to allow them to get a good look at the individual. Avoid the door opening too much, but ensure it opens ajar enough to provide visibility outside.

Safety That Fits Elderly Living

Whether you are at home with this individual or you live nearby, knowing there is the added protection of a door security chain is a great feeling. Elderly citizens are far more likely to be able to get on with their day knowing that, if the door goes, they can check who is present before they put themselves at risk. They also know that, while they might be overpowered physically without a chain, the chain holds strong. That added strength of security is essential to protecting older residents from potential risks.

PRO TIP: Make sure that any models you investigate are Secured By Design certified. This means that professionals, such as the police, have stress-tested the door security chain to ensure it is robust enough to stay strong even in the face of significant physical impact.