We have an alert ring, an outside doorbell camera, and a protective door lock. Other protection for him is an air pod tracker, an Apple Watch and a metal I’d tag.
He thought that some people wanted him to go present at a meeting. I was alone in the back of the house… three days after a complete hip replacement. Luckily, our TV shows activity at the front door. I did a walker run, hop, etc. and managed to get to the door. I called him and he came back. He showed us how he opened the door. Since that day, he hasn’t been able to open again. Has anyone found additional ways to keep their love one in?
To make a long story a bit shorter for 5 or 6 years I wore the keys to our house around my neck. I changed the locks on the house so that I had keyed locks on the inside as well as out. (all keyed the same)
I also had extra keys on a string located next to each door so that getting out might have been possible for him had he tried the key that was hanging near the door.
Some people have tried the following.
1) Placing a large dark rug in front of the door so it appears that there is a hole in the floor.
2) Attach several door knobs on the door in random areas he may get confused as to what door knob is the real one. Might slow him down enough.
3) Place a large STOP sign on the door. Many people instinctively will stop when they see a sign that is one that they have been taught to obey.
4) Place a slide lock or a hook and eye lock up high on the door. (most people do not look up)
5) There are door alarms that are wedge shaped, look like a door stop. When the door is opened and hits the wedge there is an alarm that sounds. Pretty loud one. They are sold as a safety device for travelers to place on a door at motels/hotels
Have you looked into Adult Day Care for your husband? It would give you a break and him something to do a few days a week.
One simple thing worth trying is a sliding bolt at the top of the door, into the door jamb. Quite a lot of people never look up!
Another idea would be to have a motion sensor alarm in the area before he gets to the door to alert you he is headed that way - obviously that works better in homes with a hall or foyer than in open concept designs.
Some doors have 3 different locks/chains on them. And they have a RING system, so you hear when ANY door opens. Even the garage, since no matter how often they change the code, he figures it out.
Also he wears a tracking device ALL THE TIME.
Kid has no fear of anything. My daughter's hair is literally going gray with this kid's antics.
What works for a 4 yo determined to fly the coop should help in keeping a dementia patient safe.