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Lost keys and unlocking a door: What’s another way to carry or store your house keys so you don’t lose them?

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What’s another way to carry or store your house keys so you don’t lose them?

Question

My mother-in-law is living in a supported independent living unit where the entrance to the building is staffed and the residents live independently. My mother-in-law has been misplacing her keys, which results in concerns that someone has broken in to her living unit. She has started obsessing about where they are and even having replaced keys, she is still worrying. We've considered a lanyard but are concerned about it getting tangled around her neck. We've also considered changing to a punch lock but what if she forgets the combination. Do you have any suggestions?

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.

Losing keys can be a frustrating and worrying ordeal for anyone – and the cost of changing a lock each time can be a troublesome and unwanted expense. Your mother-in-law may be interested in knowing about a few of the carrying and storage devices that are designed to reduce losing a key. Here are a few options that she may be interested in exploring:

  • Retractable Key Holder by Securit (at uline.ca) is a small keychain that is designed to clasp to the individual’s body – such as a purse or a belt loop – and uses a retractable cord to extend the keys so the keys are never separated from the individual. The key holder can hold up to 16 keys, and the cord can extend up to 48 inches. This product is sold in a two-pack and costs about $22 (CDN) for the two.
  • Tile Mate Bluetooth Item Tracker by Tile Inc (at BestBuy) is a small keychain device that uses Bluetooth connection through a smartphone to help locate an object, such as keys, wallet or backpack. Through the smartphone app, the individual can track the Tile Mate’s location, and the Tile Mate can be controlled (from the smartphone) to play a loud tune until it is found. This device costs about $35 (CDN), plus possible shipping fees.
  • Lock Box, by Master LockMaster Lock Lock Box by Master Lock (at Amazon Canada) is a small lock box that is designed to store a door lock’s key so the individual does not have to take it with them. The individual manually programs a combination between 1 and 12 characters (numbers or letters), so the combination can be easy to remember. This lock box mounts to a wall, which allows it to remain securely attached near the door. This product costs between $50 to $65 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees.

You may want to watch the “Master Lock 5422D & 5423D Push Button Key Safes” video by The Lock People to see how the Master Lock lock boxes work and how they are programmed.

Depending on the rules and policies of your mother-in-law’s independent living unit, another option that you may want to explore is a fingerprint-scanning door lock. These door locks remove the need for a key altogether and enable the individual to unlock their door easily with their finger.

  • Ultraloq Electronic Reversible Door Lever by U-Tec (at Wayfair Canada) is an electronic door lock that is designed to unlock through an individual's fingerprint, code, key, or smart phone. This product costs about $250 to $430 (CDN) plus additional shipping fees.

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