This is not legal. A person who is not able to remember not to go outdoors has lost the judgement to preserve their own safety. 24 supervision is needed...you need to be in the same house, or in the yard with an intercom. In case of fire or flood or short circuit or appliances beeping, you can't be sure that elder would know what to do..and not do. When this situation is discovered, the police and the adult protective services will be all over it. This is a circumstance that leads to APS petitioning the court to intervene, and this may include putting the dependent adult under guardianship by a court appointed attorney, and hospitalization and or placement in a secure facility. Please do not ever do this.
Your profile says you're a caregiver for dementia patients.
Do you mean to lock the patient in the house and leave them alone, or lock the doors while you're there with the patient? Because there are going to be very different answers to each of those scenarios.
A person suffering from any Dementia should not be left alone. Its a desease you cannot predict what is going to happen next. I don't see how one door locked and the other not makes any sense. Like isthis said, will the person know the other door exist. Plus, if they do you don't want them wandering the neighborhood.
No, it is not legal to lock someone in. It is considered false imprisonment by law and it is hugely dangerous for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.
If they need to be locked in when alone, they need 24/7/365 care. What would happen if there was a fire?
If one door is unlocked they aren't locked in, unless they have no access to the unlocked door or don't remember it exists.
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A person who is not able to remember not to go outdoors has lost the judgement to preserve their own safety.
24 supervision is needed...you need to be in the same house, or in the yard with an intercom.
In case of fire or flood or short circuit or appliances beeping, you can't be sure that elder would know what to do..and not do.
When this situation is discovered, the police and the adult protective services will be all over it.
This is a circumstance that leads to APS petitioning the court to intervene, and this may include putting the dependent adult under guardianship by a court appointed attorney, and hospitalization and or placement in a secure facility.
Please do not ever do this.
Do you mean to lock the patient in the house and leave them alone, or lock the doors while you're there with the patient? Because there are going to be very different answers to each of those scenarios.
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If they need to be locked in when alone, they need 24/7/365 care. What would happen if there was a fire?
If one door is unlocked they aren't locked in, unless they have no access to the unlocked door or don't remember it exists.