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Best Door Alarms for Dementia Patients

Caring for a person with Dementia brings many challenges, including the need to monitor them at all times. This constant surveillance is particularly important when caring for people who have a habit of wandering.

This is a common tendency among persons with Dementia and often leads to falls and injuries. But while surveillance is crucial to ensuring your patient’s safety, it can hinder their sense of independence. It also takes a lot of your time – time that could be used to do other important tasks.

What if I told you that there was a way to monitor the person who has Dementia without making them feel smothered, while also freeing you up to do other work?

Door alarms promise just that. In this article, I’ll outline three key benefits of installing a door alarm in your patient’s room or home. We’ll also give you a run-down of the five top-rated alarms of 2020, each guaranteed to ensure your patient’s safety.

Benefits of Door Alarms

Whether installed in the dementia sufferer’s room, or on a bathroom or exterior door; door alarms have three key benefits:

Ensuring Safety

First, door alarms ensure your patient’s safety. Once the alarm has been installed on your patient’s door, you’ll be alerted when they open the door and try to leave their room. This will prompt you to check on your patient, attend to their basic needs, and keep them from wandering, thus preventing falls and injuries.

And remember, a door alarm still allows your patient to move freely when needed. Unlike locks, which put your patient at risk of being trapped in their room during a fire or other emergency, with a door alarm, your patient can easily leave their room if required. 

Preserving Independence

As any caregiver knows, patients with Dementia experience a loss of independence in the wake of their diagnosis. They may no longer be allowed to engage in activities they once enjoyed, such as driving.

They may also lose the ability to attend to their basic needs, such as washing and toileting. This loss of independence can take a huge toll on these patients, making them feel anxious and depressed. A door alarm enables your patient to go about their day free from constant oversight. This helps preserve the autonomy and self-sufficiency they still have and improves their overall sense of wellbeing.

Enabling More Efficient Care

In addition to helping your patient, door alarms also help you! These alarms ensure that you’ll be there when your patient needs you while eliminating the need to keep tabs on them constantly. This frees you up to do other important job-related tasks, enabling more efficient care.

Our Top Five Door Alarms

To help you choose the best door alarm for your patient, here’s our run-down of the five top-rated alarms of 2020, each one satisfaction guaranteed! 

Flyoukki 120 DB Loud Door And Window Alarm

The Flyoukki loud door and window alarm earns its name. Audible from a distance of 750 feet, this wireless alarm will catch your attention fast, prompting you to check on your patient immediately.

Pros:

• Includes earplugs to prevent hearing loss in users
• Comes with double-sided tape for easy installation
• Includes three back-up batteries, each with a twelve-month lifespan

Cons:

• No volume adjustment
• Not in compliance with UL-2017 standards

Noopel Home Security Wireless Magnetic Sensor Alarm

The ultra-sensitive Noopel wireless alarm contains a magnetic sensor that alerts you when your patient opens a window or door. It features an easy-to-access on/off switch and a low battery indicator.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Affordable
• Batteries included

Cons:

• No volume adjustment

Govee Door Open Chime

The Govee door chime features a magnetic sensor and has thirty-six ringtones, five volume levels, and a 330-foot detection range. It also comes with an LED indicator to alert caregivers who are hearing impaired.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Purchase protection provided
• Suitable for caregivers with hearing impairments

Cons:

• Unpredictable (known to stop working without warning)

SECRUI Wireless Door Alarm

With its 500-foot detection range, the SECRUI wireless door alarm allows for thorough monitoring of your house or care facility. It includes a wireless doorbell receiver and a mini contact sensor and comes equipped with fifty-two ringtones. Like the Govee door chime, this alarm also features an LED indicator to alert caregivers who are hearing impaired. 

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Each receiver can be paired with up to twenty sensors
• Suitable for caregivers with hearing impairments

Cons:

• Not compatible with metal doors

Smart Caregiver Economy Wireless Monitor And Motion Sensor

With an expandable monitor that can be paired with up to six sensors and adjustable volume controls, the Smart Caregiver wireless door alarm is perfect for monitoring small areas.

Pros:

• Easy to install

Cons:

• The motion sensor can be a little unreliable
• Batteries not included

The Takeaway

As a caregiver to a person with Dementia, your patient’s safety is your top priority. A door alarm will help keep them safe, while eliminating the need for constant surveillance. This will preserve your patient’s sense of independence, and free you up to do other work, making both caregiving and care-receiving more manageable for you both.