A new smart lock designed with the safety of those living with dementia in mind is being hailed as a strong example of “the fusion of technology and passion.”
The technology, which was highlighted in Forbes recently, works by including a removable thumbturn for locking the deadbolt, which prevents someone with cognitive impairment from opening the door and/or wandering around unsupervised.
The Lockly Dementia Proof tech includes a mobile app that lets a user lock or unlock a door remotely, with access granted via a biometric fingerprint sensor.
The device is suitable for both at-home use and installation within senior living and care spaces, the company has said.
For those living at home, being able to monitor and keep their loved ones safe is a major priority for older adults’ family members. But over the past few years, long-term care spaces now have been adopting more “smart” technology systems. Those tools can both prevent emergencies and extend seniors’ stays in communities, McKnight’s Senior Living has reported.
Three out of five residents living with dementia in assisted living are expected to wander at some point during their stay, Alzheimer’s Association data show. In addition, more than half of older adults who elope from such communities end up being seriously injured or dying.
Technology such as monitoring sensors or GPS tracker apps can assist with making sure that residents living with dementia are safe.
Although a smart lock can seem restrictive, older adults and their families want both the physical and emotional security, and many also want to age in place, a Lockly spokesman pointed out in a recent post about the company’s technology.
Even beyond its own devices, technology such as motion sensors, smart lighting and medication management tools can contribute to a “smart” system, at home or in a facility, a Lockly spokesman explained.
