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My dad was found fully competent til his dying days by several doctors and he consistently opened his door to strangers. We told him many times it was a bad idea, advised against it, cautioned him about scammers, etc. all to no avail. We came to see he was from a simpler time, where people, including salesmen came by often. He was lonely and liked the conversation. He’d talk to anyone, about the condition of his roof, about his need for more insurance, about magazine subscriptions, about their faith and his, about whatever they were peddling. He never bought a thing, he just liked the company, it gave him something to do despite knowing it made it obvious he was an old man living alone. Our family didn’t like it, but he wasn’t changing. Grateful nothing bad ever happened and feel a tad sorry for those who got more than they bargained for when trapped in long conversation with dad. So, what to do, depends on seniors cognitive skills and the family level of acceptance of risk. We made peace with it
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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You move them to a safe place like Assisted Living bc they're no longer able to live alone.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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Lylii1 4 hours ago
MIL is fully competent, you just move her to assisted living against her will. I think all you can do is thoroughly explain the possible consequences to her, and put up the cameras as described. At that point, you have done all you can.
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Are they living alone? Is it because they're competent and just don't want to heed your advice? If so, that's their choice. Or is it because they're incompetent and don't understand? If so then maybe they should not be living alone anymore.

Are they living with someone? If so you could put a code on the door that they don't know, or a more complicated lock -- BUT only if they are never left alone, due to this being a potential danger in case of a fire or other emergency.
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Reply to MG8522
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My MIL is completely competent, but like an earlier post pointed out, from a simpler and more trustworthy time. She has put herself in several very scary situations by opening the door to strangers. We will be installing a camera that activates with movement. When cameras are activated, my husband and his brother both get an alert to their phones. Then they can ask over a speaker, “Who are you and what do you want?” If that person is sketchy ( not an unannounced friend visit) they can tell the caller to move along or the police will be called. There is a little less stress knowing that everyone is recorded and that a strong male voice will be responding to their entry to the property.
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Reply to SarahMinnesota
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SamTheManager 1 hour ago
Crime has been going down for years and scammers were always a problem.
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You do not give enough background so I have 1 answer. Supervision.
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Reply to MACinCT
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Sendhelp Dec 31, 2025
Yes, increased supervision.
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This is a sign they can no longer live alone or need constant supervision.
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Reply to ShirleyDot
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My husband is almost 79 and still opens the door to those people that solicit. I think he does it because I tell him not too. No Demenentia just a stubborn person. I think these people going from house to house should be illegal for no other reason than to protect our Elderly. I have told them not interested, thats when they should walk away, they don't. Me, I don't answer the door. Want a ring camera, keep suggesting. I am mostly on the second floor. This way I see who is there and ignore or talk to them thru the ring camera.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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This depends on the senior's ability to understand and remember what you are telling them as in "Do not open the door".
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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BurntCaregiver Dec 31, 2025
Alva,

When a person has gotten to a point where they need a sign like this they are not competent to be staying on their own anymore.
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If the person doesn't have sense enough to not open the door for strangers, they cannot be left alone anymore. So if you're dealing with a stubborn elder who lives alone, it's time to go to the police and ask them to do wellness checks on them and to make a call to APS (Adult Protective Sevices). If this elder is living with you or someone else, they need someone to be in the home supervising them 24/7. Or they need to be put into adult daycare when no one is at home. Or they need to be put into a care facility.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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Scampie1 Dec 31, 2025
I have a client that opened the door to scammers. These people are no longer safe being alone; especially, in a predatory society that we live in. They should not be answering phones either.
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Can you put a sign on the inside of the door right where they can see it, by the doorknob? Something to the effect of only opening the door to someone you know.
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Reply to Nan333
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BurntCaregiver Dec 31, 2025
@Nan333

If the 91 year old is opening the door to strangers, a sign is not going to help. They can't be left alone anymore.
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