Doors and Windows - Help with a door lock for an Alzheimers parent

I hope I have posted this in the proper forum, and if not I am sorry. It pains me to say that I need an idea for a lock or bolt for a closet door. My Father has Alzheimers disease and my Mother's bedroom closet is directly across from her Bathroom door. On more than one occasion, she has followed him going into the bedroom and mistaking the closet for the bathroom. Fortunately, she has been there every time divert him to the bathroom. But should he wake in the middle of the night, he might make quite a mess in the closet. My Mother asked me for an idea on how to keep the door locked. She does not want to change the doorknob. I suggested a chain lock or a sliding bolt lock. The molding surround the door is not flat, so adding a sliding bolt or chain bolt might be a challenge to install. Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to secure the door ? Thanks

The chain lock you mentioned sounds like a good idea. There are also all sorts of slide bolts. You might check out some at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/511280/103-0283895-9884605

Keep in mind these patients can be both sneaky and persistant. You might need to put your latch in an unusual location. (very top of the door, sliding up, or very bottom of the door, sliding down.) Or 2 chain locks, one up high, one down low.

My wife tells me about altzheimer patients that will spy on the nurses, see the daily door code, and try to escape that way. Poor folks.

Thank you for the reply and the link. Very helpful.

My mom also has alzheimers, so I know how difficult it can be. I have installed some pool alarms like ones you would use on sliding doors, just to alert me. If I put a lock and she can't get in she would just be likely to go somewhere else. Not to mention, I would rather be awaken when she is up, so this is very helpful, although it can be a little startling at first. You do get pretty used to it though. It's also a great idea for exit doors as they do tend to wander.

Hi
why not put a bathroom door handle on it
it has an inside door lock but you need a pin to push in to unlock it

good luck

pg

I decided to install a flip lock on the bedroom closet door. I posted a question regarding its installation in the door locks forum, but I wanted to post here as well since this is where I started this thread. The flip lock I bought mounts to the door moulding, then you flip the lock, which is on a hinge, over to the left so that it locks in place in front of the door and prevents you from opening it. Does anyone have any hints about how to install the lock ? I also want to mount the lock away from the door knob so that its not clearly visible to my Father. Any suggestions as to where (above or below doorknob) I should mount the lock ? Thanks