Mom lives in an ALF and has mild to mod. dementia and gets around with a walker with limited movement of arms. She has her own apartment with her own thermostat. It is currently in the 90's and smokey (swamp fire in NC). She is consistently turning off the thermostat and opening her windows. As she gets cold. Temp in her room is from 78 to 81ish. She gets cold due to her wearing an icepack on her back and she also sits on an icepack (whole nother story). Nurses/aides/whoever else have been asked to shut windows/turn thermostat to 78max. Ice packs get warm and then she is hot! Go figure. So there is constant fiddling with the temp.
No matter how much sense I think I make, no amount of explaining to Mom is helpful, she just waits for me or anyone else to leave to turn off the thermostat- or she calls the receptionist to tell them she is cold. She will wrap herself up in blankets and sweaters in an 80plus degree room. When she is out of her room at an activity or with me in air conditioning- not a problem, no comments from her. My concern is the smoke/heat can be a health issue- but she is not sitting in her room all day and has occasional access to cooler air, and efforts (unsuccessful) are made to shut windows/etc...Just looking for perspective. My question is- would it be reasonable to put a cover on her thermostat and lock her windows? Which will definitely cause an issue with her or is there some other way of looking at this that I'm just not seeing?

Torp, if it is a central unit that is a great idea.We had them in our pats to control the heat.If it is a window unit others avenues will have to be tried.

There are little acrylic boxes with locks that can be installed over the thermostat. Many businesses use them to control utility expenses and keep random people from fiddling with them.

We've had a similar issue in the past, i.e. turning off the ac. Her heat/air unit was stand alone so we couldn't use that remedy. The maintenance guy ended up taking off the little set screw on the knob, and we set the knob where she couldn't reach it without calling an aide.

you have quit a situation.I would find away to prevent her from adjusting the air conditioner.
She may not feel the heat but it is present and her chances of having heat stroke are there.
Put tape on the controls.Allow her to dres to keep warm.
If she gets warm, tell her to take off some of the clothes and blankets.I would be more concerned of heat stroke then any thing else.
Sitting on ice pack is a new one, but if it keeps her happy, why challenge it, lol