Elderly infirm relative is in the habit of leaving the side door unlocked so 
that visitors can get in. Obviously that isn't safe but I am at a loss as to 
what to suggest. (it would take her 5 mins to get to the door)
Some sort of entry phone with remote unlocking - or even a keypad so she 
could give the code to vetted visitors seem to be options. However, she has 
never been one for locking the door and would be reluctant to spend much 
money - and I don't want to enter into any complex instalation.

Any suggestions?


John

In article <aZ2Te.1289$st1.1275@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net>, 
john.plant@nowhere.com says...

> Elderly infirm relative is in the habit of leaving the side door unlocked so 
> that visitors can get in. Obviously that isn't safe but I am at a loss as to 
> what to suggest. (it would take her 5 mins to get to the door)
> Some sort of entry phone with remote unlocking - or even a keypad so she 
> could give the code to vetted visitors seem to be options. However, she has 
> never been one for locking the door and would be reluctant to spend much 
> money - and I don't want to enter into any complex instalation.
> 
> Any suggestions?
> 
> 
> John 
> 
> 
> 


How about this system:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/DSDK1.html

Not expensive, and not particularly complex to install.

Gary

On 05 Sep 2005, john wrote


> Elderly infirm relative is in the habit of leaving the side door
> unlocked so that visitors can get in. Obviously that isn't safe
> but I am at a loss as to what to suggest. (it would take her 5
> mins to get to the door) Some sort of entry phone with remote
> unlocking - or even a keypad so she could give the code to vetted
> visitors seem to be options. However, she has never been one for
> locking the door and would be reluctant to spend much money - and
> I don't want to enter into any complex instalation. 
> 
> Any suggestions?


It's a difficult one.

How about cutting 20 or 30 keys to the lock (or as many as are 
required), and posting them out to all known/potential visitors?

That's obviously still insecure, but it would at least be a tad better 
than leaving it unlocked;  might discourage the opportunistic entry.

-- 
Cheers,
Harvey

"john"  wrote in message 
news:aZ2Te.1289$st1.1275@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...

> Elderly infirm relative is in the habit of leaving the side door unlocked 
> so that visitors can get in. Obviously that isn't safe but I am at a loss 
> as to what to suggest. (it would take her 5 mins to get to the door)
> Some sort of entry phone with remote unlocking - or even a keypad so she 
> could give the code to vetted visitors seem to be options. However, she 
> has never been one for locking the door and would be reluctant to spend 
> much money - and I don't want to enter into any complex instalation.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
>
> John
>


A key lock in which she can place a key outside the door. They work by 
putting in a code but are mechanical so no batteries to run out. The key or 
keys are simply placed inside them. They are great for access by emergency 
services also. Saves them having to force entry.

All the fitting that is needed is a few screws to the wall and hey presto.

http://www.safeoptions.co.uk/sotn/dprod.php?products_id=3355&xClient=0d5edefb7d3f63c9dd65376175b38ecd

Sorry for the massive link.

Regards

John

john wrote:

> Elderly infirm relative is in the habit of leaving the side door 

 > unlocked so that visitors can get in.

> Any suggestions?


If the concern is a sneak thief rather than physical security, how about 
a loudish chime alarm on the door which sounds when it is opened? It 
would alert her to someone opening the door, and should discourage the 
sneak thief attempting to make a quiet entry.

Unless she is going to check all her visitors' IDs thoroughly before 
opening the door, she is vulnerable to physical attack anyway.

The 'cupboard door switch' with a buzzer might suffice
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FM142.html
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FM140WB.html

Or see Shop and Visitor Alarms at
http://www.doorentryonline.co.uk/

Maplin etc probably have similar

For intercoms of various sorts, the following are speech only but cheap 
as chips (under a tenner). Ebay.co.uk item nos.; (no connection with any 
of the sellers)

5805751133
5804936323
5804809844 - video - under a tenner (at the moment)
5997316551

Owain

googlebot wrote:

> A key lock in which she can place a key outside the door. They work by 
> putting in a code but are mechanical so no batteries to run out. The key or 
> keys are simply placed inside them. They are great for access by emergency 
> services also. Saves them having to force entry.


How do the emergency services access it?

alex


-- 
Alex Meaden
Technical Support Officer
Computing Service
University of Kent

In article <dfjis4$1f6$1@oheron.kent.ac.uk>,
	Alex <aejm+nospam@kent.ac.uk> writes:

> googlebot wrote:
>> A key lock in which she can place a key outside the door. They work by 
>> putting in a code but are mechanical so no batteries to run out. The key or 
>> keys are simply placed inside them. They are great for access by emergency 
>> services also. Saves them having to force entry.
> 
> How do the emergency services access it?


There are a couple of people near me with them. They are part
of a monitored call system, and the monitoring station passes
the number on any emergency service they need to call out. It
seems to work fine (one of the houses went through a period
of frequent ambulance callouts, and AFAIK, the scheme always
worked). It's probably worth contacting your local council's
Social Services department to find out what schemes operate
in your area. Councils are often quite keen to install such
systems, as they enable people to live in their own homes for
longer, which is much cheaper for the council than having to
pay for a care home place.

-- 
Andrew Gabriel

"Andrew Gabriel"  wrote in message 
news:431de4c7$0$38041$5a6aecb4@news.aaisp.net.uk...

> In article <dfjis4$1f6$1@oheron.kent.ac.uk>,
> Alex <aejm+nospam@kent.ac.uk> writes:
>> googlebot wrote:
>>> A key lock in which she can place a key outside the door. They work by
>>> putting in a code but are mechanical so no batteries to run out. The key 
>>> or
>>> keys are simply placed inside them. They are great for access by 
>>> emergency
>>> services also. Saves them having to force entry.
>>
>> How do the emergency services access it?
>
> There are a couple of people near me with them. They are part
> of a monitored call system, and the monitoring station passes
> the number on any emergency service they need to call out. It
> seems to work fine (one of the houses went through a period
> of frequent ambulance callouts, and AFAIK, the scheme always
> worked). It's probably worth contacting your local council's
> Social Services department to find out what schemes operate
> in your area. Councils are often quite keen to install such
> systems, as they enable people to live in their own homes for
> longer, which is much cheaper for the council than having to
> pay for a care home place.


That sounds like an excellent idea.

Our neighbour (no older than us) recently called the ambulance but couldn't 
unlock the security grille outside her back door. The ambulance people had 
to call the police to break down the security grille. The neighbour was dead 
by the time that happened.

A system like the one you suggest would have been ideal. You've made me 
think ... do you have an more information?

Mary

>
> -- 
> Andrew Gabriel 

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005 20:17:16 +0100, "Mary Fisher" 
wrote:

| 
| "Andrew Gabriel"  wrote in message 
| news:431de4c7$0$38041$5a6aecb4@news.aaisp.net.uk...
| > In article <dfjis4$1f6$1@oheron.kent.ac.uk>,
| > Alex <aejm+nospam@kent.ac.uk> writes:
| >> googlebot wrote:
| >>> A key lock in which she can place a key outside the door. They work by
| >>> putting in a code but are mechanical so no batteries to run out. The key 
| >>> or
| >>> keys are simply placed inside them. They are great for access by 
| >>> emergency
| >>> services also. Saves them having to force entry.
| >>
| >> How do the emergency services access it?
| >
| > There are a couple of people near me with them. They are part
| > of a monitored call system, and the monitoring station passes
| > the number on any emergency service they need to call out. It
| > seems to work fine (one of the houses went through a period
| > of frequent ambulance callouts, and AFAIK, the scheme always
| > worked). It's probably worth contacting your local council's
| > Social Services department to find out what schemes operate
| > in your area. Councils are often quite keen to install such
| > systems, as they enable people to live in their own homes for
| > longer, which is much cheaper for the council than having to
| > pay for a care home place.
| 
| That sounds like an excellent idea.
| 
| Our neighbour (no older than us) recently called the ambulance but couldn't 
| unlock the security grille outside her back door. The ambulance people had 
| to call the police to break down the security grille. The neighbour was dead 
| by the time that happened.
| 
| A system like the one you suggest would have been ideal. You've made me 
| think ... do you have an more information?

A trusted keyholder within short driving distance is a good idea.
For years I held the key, and code the alarm, to my sisters house,   The
police once called me for a false alarm.   A notice with the keyholders
name address and telephone numbers on a door would be all that is required

-- 
Dave Fawthrop <dave hyphenologist co uk> 
"Intelligent Design?" my knees say *not*.
"Intelligent Design?" my back says *not*.

In article <431deb13$0$5853$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net>,
	"Mary Fisher"  writes:

> 
> "Andrew Gabriel"  wrote in message 
> news:431de4c7$0$38041$5a6aecb4@news.aaisp.net.uk...
>> There are a couple of people near me with them. They are part
>> of a monitored call system, and the monitoring station passes
>> the number on any emergency service they need to call out. It
>> seems to work fine (one of the houses went through a period
>> of frequent ambulance callouts, and AFAIK, the scheme always
>> worked). It's probably worth contacting your local council's
>> Social Services department to find out what schemes operate
>> in your area. Councils are often quite keen to install such
>> systems, as they enable people to live in their own homes for
>> longer, which is much cheaper for the council than having to
>> pay for a care home place.
> 
> That sounds like an excellent idea.
> 
> Our neighbour (no older than us) recently called the ambulance but couldn't 
> unlock the security grille outside her back door. The ambulance people had 
> to call the police to break down the security grille. The neighbour was dead 
> by the time that happened.
> 
> A system like the one you suggest would have been ideal. You've made me 
> think ... do you have an more information?


Not a lot. The monitoring station have numbers of nearby family
who they try first (unless it's clearly an emergency requiring
a direct ambulance call). If they fail to contact the family,
then an ambulance callout is made anyway. In one of the cases
I know, 3 family members live within a few hundred yards, but
just occasionally, something goes wrong and they can't be
contacted. I guess this may vary depending on availability of
local family/carers and needs of the person.

I presume the phone is the type with a wireless alarm pendant
worn by the person, which they can press to cause the phone to
dial out to the monitoring station and the phone to operate in
speakerphone mode, so the monioring centre can speak and listen
in without the person having to be near the phone.

Like I said, you should ask your local social services how they
handle this in your area.

Incidently, a friend of my parents' had a similar scheme. He
fell over and tried to use it, but this unfortunately coincided
with someone cutting through a 400 pair phone line which took
BT 5 days to fix (also cut off my parents phone service). By the
time he was found, he was in a very bad way due to being on the
floor for some days with a broken hip, and died a few days later
in hospital. So even these schemes are not infallible. Some
monitoring stations might make a regular call to the person as
a further check.

Incidently, my burglar alarm can be programmed to send an alarm
to its monitoring station when expected things don't happen,
such as someone not moving around the house for some time, not
getting up in the morning, kids not arriving home from school by
some specified time, etc. I suspect we'll see more of this sort
of thing deployed, as the cost of transfering people into a care
home is so expensive, it can be worth spending quite a bit to try
and keep someone in their own home if at all possible.

-- 
Andrew Gabriel

"Andrew Gabriel"  wrote in message 
news:431e237a$0$38041$5a6aecb4@news.aaisp.net.uk...

....


>>> There are a couple of people near me with them. They are part
>>> of a monitored call system, and the monitoring station passes
>>> the number on any emergency service they need to call out. It
>>> seems to work fine (one of the houses went through a period
>>> of frequent ambulance callouts, and AFAIK, the scheme always
>>> worked). It's probably worth contacting your local council's
>>> Social Services department to find out what schemes operate
>>> in your area. Councils are often quite keen to install such
>>> systems, as they enable people to live in their own homes for
>>> longer, which is much cheaper for the council than having to
>>> pay for a care home place.
>>
>> That sounds like an excellent idea.
>>
>> Our neighbour (no older than us) recently called the ambulance but 
>> couldn't
>> unlock the security grille outside her back door. The ambulance people 
>> had
>> to call the police to break down the security grille. The neighbour was 
>> dead
>> by the time that happened.
>>
>> A system like the one you suggest would have been ideal. You've made me
>> think ... do you have an more information?
>
> Not a lot.


....

Well, thanks anyway. I'll look into it.

Our neighbour lived alone (but she was very active, had been gardening the 
day beforeshe died). We're even more active and not alone - yet. But one day 
it will happen.

>
> Like I said, you should ask your local social services how they
> handle this in your area.


Thanks, I shall.

>
> Incidently, a friend of my parents' had a similar scheme. He
> fell over and tried to use it, but this unfortunately coincided
> with someone cutting through a 400 pair phone line which took
> BT 5 days to fix (also cut off my parents phone service). By the
> time he was found, he was in a very bad way due to being on the
> floor for some days with a broken hip, and died a few days later
> in hospital. So even these schemes are not infallible.


That's a sad story but it must be exceptional.

>
> Incidently, my burglar alarm can be programmed to send an alarm
> to its monitoring station when expected things don't happen,
> such as someone not moving around the house for some time, not
> getting up in the morning, kids not arriving home from school by
> some specified time, etc.


Hmm. We don't have a burglar alarm but that's another system to consider. 
The trouble with that is that we lead very haphazard lives, we're certainly 
not here regularly (either hourly, daily, weekly or monthly!) When we are 
here there's very little routine.


> I suspect we'll see more of this sort
> of thing deployed, as the cost of transfering people into a care
> home is so expensive, it can be worth spending quite a bit to try
> and keep someone in their own home if at all possible.


Not only that, a lot of us would do anything not to live in such a place.

Thanks again,

Mary

Andrew Gabriel wrote:

> > A system like the one you suggest would have been ideal. You've made me
> > think ... do you have an more information?
>
> Not a lot. The monitoring station have numbers of nearby family
> who they try first (unless it's clearly an emergency requiring
> a direct ambulance call). If they fail to contact the family,
> then an ambulance callout is made anyway. In one of the cases
> I know, 3 family members live within a few hundred yards, but
> just occasionally, something goes wrong and they can't be
> contacted. I guess this may vary depending on availability of
> local family/carers and needs of the person.
>
> I presume the phone is the type with a wireless alarm pendant
> worn by the person, which they can press to cause the phone to
> dial out to the monitoring station and the phone to operate in
> speakerphone mode, so the monioring centre can speak and listen
> in without the person having to be near the phone.


My father had one of these systems and a keysafe provided by the local
authority but I wasn't aware of them being part of a joined up service.

MBQ