Locks for the Elderly and their Carers
When securing a home for older adults, the focus is on maximizing safety while ensuring ease of access for trusted family and carers.
Solutions like Euro Thumbturn Locks are crucial for preventing a key from being left in the back of the door, allowing for emergency access from the outside.
Additionally, fitting a Police-Rated Wall Key Safe allows carers or emergency services to gain swift entry without property damage.
To discuss the best options for your loved one, or to find out more about key safes and easy-to-use locks, call Chris from Pentland Locksmiths for reliable, expert advice and installation.
Enhancing Home Access and Safety for Vulnerable Homeowners.
The installation of specialist door locks and a keysafe by a professional like Chris from Pentland Locksmiths offers significant benefits for vulnerable elderly homeowners, particularly concerning accessibility for carers, family members, and emergency services.
The primary advantage of replacing standard cylinder locks with thumbturn locks is the elimination of the risk of keys being accidentally left in the back of the door.
With a standard key-on-both-sides lock, if the key is inserted on the inside, it can block external key access, a scenario that is not uncommon for elderly individuals, especially those with cognitive issues like dementia.
This block can prevent critical entry for a visiting carer or, more seriously, for emergency medical services during a crisis.
The thumbturn cylinder allows the door to be locked or unlocked quickly from the inside by simply turning a small knob, while still requiring a key for entry from the outside, guaranteeing access for trusted keyholders.
Furthermore, the ease of use provides a rapid means of exit in an emergency like a fire, as no key fumbling is required.
A question we at Pentland Locksmiths get a lot from our Midlothian customers is how we prevent an elderly relative from leaving keys in the back of the door.
The solution is straightforward! We remove the existing lock from a uPVC or wooden door and replace it with a thumbturn lock on the inside.
This allows for easier locking and unlocking without the need for a key from the inside.
Thumbturn Lock Benefits
Prevents Lock-Outs in an Emergency: Eliminates the critical risk of a key being left in the inside of the lock, which would block carers or emergency services from gaining access with their own key from the outside.
Easy Internal Operation: The resident can lock or unlock the door from the inside simply by turning a small knob (the thumbturn), which is much easier than fumbling with a physical key.
Ideal for Dexterity Issues: Greatly assists individuals with arthritis, limited grip strength, or mobility issues who struggle with the fine motor skills required to turn a traditional key.
Quick Emergency Egress (Fire Safety): Allows for an instant, keyless exit in a fire or other urgent situation, which is a key fire safety requirement in many residential settings.
Supra C500 Key Safe Benefits
Police-Approved Security: The C500 is one of the most secure mechanical key safes available, having achieved Police Preferred Specification (Secured by Design) and an independent security rating, making it as attack-resistant as a domestic front door.
Secure Access for Professionals: Provides a safe, coded way for trusted carers, healthcare professionals, or emergency services (like paramedics or police) to enter the property quickly without damaging the door.
Eliminates Hidden Keys: Removes the need to hide a spare key under a mat or plant pot, which is a common security risk.
Code-Based Control: The code can be easily changed at any time to manage who has access, which is safer than handing out multiple physical keys.
Weather and Tamper Resistant: Built with robust zinc alloy to be weatherproof, rust-resistant, and highly durable for outdoor installation.
For elderly homeowners, safety and independence are essential.
At Pentland Locksmiths, we provide secure and easy home access solutions designed with your comfort in mind.
- Police Approved Keysafe Installation
- The Police Preferred Supra C500 Keysafe is a trusted way to store a spare door key.
- Mounted on an outside wall, it allows quick, authorised access for family, carers, or emergency services.
- Built from strong, attack-resistant metal, it’s designed to keep your home safe.
- Access is controlled by a secure code, shared only with trusted people.
- Approved by Secured by Design, the official Police security standard, it’s as tough as a domestic front door.
- No more keys hidden under mats or plant pots—unsafe habits that put you at risk.
- Stay Independent and Protected
- The keysafe ensures help can reach you in an emergency, without damage to your door.
- It gives you confidence that your home remains secure while staying independent.
- Easy Access with Thumbturn Locks
- For even greater convenience, we can also fit thumbturn locks on your doors.
- They’re simple to operate from inside, making them ideal for elderly homeowners or anyone with limited hand movement.
- Together, the Supra C500 Keysafe and thumbturn lock create a safe, caring access system.
- It’s designed to keep you secure while giving peace of mind to family and carers.
Please note: We only cover Edinburgh, Midlothian, and East Lothian fitting locks for the elderly and their carers. We do not fit these locks nationally or out of our area.
If you would like further information about door locks for the elderly and their carers give Chris from Pentland Locksmiths a call on 0131 663 8003 or on his mobile: 07990776519
Upgrade Existing Locks To Thumbturn Locks
In some cases, we need to completely overhaul existing locks and replace them with a new Euro Lock setup.
This process is straightforward and can be applied to all wooden doors.
For example, we recently completed a job for a homeowner who needed to provide easy access to caregivers for his parent, who suffers from dementia.
We removed the old Chubb mortice deadlock and replaced it with a Euro-style deadlock and a thumbturn barrel lock. The job took less than an hour and was affordably priced. We also supplied 10 keys for the new lock.
Additionally, we worked on a holiday cottage where the customer needed to replace the old brass mortice lock and handles with a modern Euro setup, which included a brass thumbturn lock.
This upgrade was necessary to ensure the cottage complied with insurance standards.
These locks are suitable for wooden doors that allow caregivers or family members easy access to patients with dementia or other disabilities.
