Making an older relative’s door easier to manage

Watch what is difficult rather than choosing a new lock straight away. Is the key hard to grip or turn? Does the door catch? Can they use the handle comfortably? A repair or adjustment may be more useful than adding another piece of hardware.

Describe what you have noticed when you call. I don’t need the person using the door to identify a gearbox or cylinder. More about a door that won’t lock properly.

For some households, a key safe makes visits by relatives or carers easier to arrange. It needs to be suitable for the property and accessible to the people using it. Agree who should have access with the resident and anyone authorised to make arrangements on their behalf.

Key safes are usually £110–£140 supplied and fitted. They aren’t a substitute for an emergency-care plan, and I don’t need access codes in an online enquiry.

I also fit door viewers, chains or limiters, letterbox guards and additional bolts where suitable. We should consider how they will be used and how the occupant can leave safely, rather than adding hardware simply because it is available.

Any care-provider, fire-safety or insurance requirement should be checked before changing the arrangement. I can discuss the lock work; I don’t assess someone’s care needs.

Tell me who will be there and the problem you want addressed. The work and price are agreed before I start. There is no call-out fee or out-of-hours uplift, and my work has a 12-month parts-and-labour guarantee.

Request a planned visit