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Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance

Occupational therapists that specialize in home modifications and accessible design.

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Schlage with Z Wave capa

What is the best lock for ease of use, accessibility, universal design?  My favorite by far is a keyless entry lock. 

Top ten reasons keyless entry locks are the best pick for universal/accessible design.

  1. Easy to use with poor fine motor skills.  Keys require accurate fine motor skills for placing the key in the lock and supination of the wrist for turning. Pressing the buttons for a keyless entry does require some fine motor skills but not the coordination and strength required for utilizing a key.  Key fob options available with many keyless entry lock sets.
     
  2. Many times people with disabilities will need attendant care, which means many people will need access to the house.  Unfortunately with attendant care there is often turnover.  Most keyless entry locks allow for multiple combinations that can be easily changed.  No more worries about too many people with keys.
  3. Some keyless entry locks have key fobs that can open/close the locks from up to 30 feet away.  This is a great feature for anyone with mobility issues.  
  4. Easy to install.  Keyless entry doorsets come in a variety of sizes, and either electric or battery powered.  I’ve never installed an electric lock set but the battery powered lock sets are as simple to install as a standard lock set.   
  5. Batteries for keyless entry locks seem to last a long time. 
  6. Fit in standard doors-no alterations of the door required.
  7. Come in a variety of finishes and styles.
  8. Come in a variety of price ranges from $102.00-$550.00 depending on finish and options.
  9. Keyless entries are un-pickable and un-bumpable when ordered without a key/keyhole back-up.  (Lock bumping is basically utilizing a special key to break a basic tumbler-style lock.)
    10. Key fob.
  10.  Lastly and my favorite reason, no more lost keys. 

 

One last keyless entry to consider is the finger print recognition lock.  I’ve never used this lock so I don’t know how well it works, but it is a very Star Trek kind of concept.  Has anyone had any experience with this lock?  Please post a comment.