Key turner aid: What device will help my grandfather turn the key to lock his front door?
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What device will help my grandfather turn the key to lock his front door?
Question
My grandfather is very independent and lives at home alone despite having limited hand mobility. Lately I’ve noticed that he has difficulty turning the key to unlock and lock his front door. Do you know of a device that might help him turn the key more easily?
Our answer
Products mentioned in our answer below are provided to inform you about the types of technologies available and have not been evaluated by CanAssist. They may or may not be appropriate for your particular situation. Some technologies and devices may require an in-person assessment. Speak with your health care provider for additional information and support.
Whether living alone or with others, it is important to be confident in your ability to lock and unlock the door to your home. There are a number of tools on the market that make it easier to handle small keys and to open the door. Below are direct links to a few examples of products you may want to explore:
- VariGrip Key Turner (at Amazon Canada) is an enlarged key holder designed specifically for those with limited hand mobility. It provides the user with more leverage, allowing for a person to unlock a door with less effort. This product costs about $15 (CDN) for a set of three, plus additional shipping fees.
3 Key Turner by Aidapt (at Amazon Canada) holds up to 3 standard keys and is designed specifically for people who have difficulty handling small keys. This product costs about $20 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees. - Castle Keypad Deadbolt by Defiant (at Home Depot Canada) is a technology that eliminates the need for key-entry entirely. This product replaces your existing door’s deadbolt and allows you to enter a code on its keypad to get into your home instead of using a key. To lock the door on your way out of the house, you simply close the door and press the lock button on the keypad. It should be noted that keypad buttons can often be quite small, which could be problematic for someone with limited hand dexterity. If you are interested in a keypad deadbolt, it is recommended that you test out the keypad before purchasing. This device costs about $60 to $90 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees.
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