The Complete Guide to Alzheimer's Proofing Your Home

Since first reading this book over 14 months ago, I've found it a constant source for information and resources. It addresses the problems I encounter on a daily basis AND gives sources for products that I can use to provide better care for my loved one.

This book is a must for caregivers and professionals facing the challenges of Alzheimer's. It is the first book I've read devoted to Alzheimer's care that offers something more than reasons to institutionalize our people. Caregivers need information, options and where to access tools and resources before they can make informed decisions about their choices or their role as caregiver. As someone who spent 25 years designing rehabilitations plans for handicapped people and another 10 years facing the care of my husband, Tom, who died of this disease in our home, this is the first volume I've picked up that speaks of caregiving in positive, life-giving, do-able terms and not the drudgery that we are all led to believe consumes the process. While it offers pragmatic, workable, affordable solutions to caregivers, it never loses sight of the continued humanity and needs of our family members for love and regard in spite of their loss of cognitive skills. My experience as a caregiver was met with nothing but obsticles in my quest to keep my husband home, a journey I relate in my book, "He Used to be Somebody." I found Tom's care problems were 75% attitude and 25% tools, resources and help. This book offers both to families. I highly recommend it.

Mark Warner's book on Alzheimer's proofing your home is more than a how to book. Mr. Warner gives an in-depth description of the ways in which Alzheimer's disease affects a person's life, and the life of the extended family. By understanding the disease in depth and the changes that take place in a person physical and emotional need, there is a context to understanding why modifications and alterations are needed. He explains what to do and why to do it. His approach is that of a loving caregiver who not only wants to make the home safe and secure, but also wants to raise the quality of life. . Modifications are practical, but also designed to bring comfort. Even after over two decades of working professionally with people with memory loss, many of his suggestions caught me by surprise. I kept saying to myself, "why didn't I think of that?" He addresses all the behaviors associated with the disease, from wandering to agitation, and suggests environment solutions that could ease the situation. Not only will this bring a higher level of comfort to the person with the disease, but many of the suggestions are a benefit for anyone who wishes to have a safe and barrier free home. I recommend this book to anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer's, anyone involved in home care, and anyone who is interested in altering environments to meet specific needs of unique individuals. Like any thoughtful book, his ideas about adapting environments to the needs of people with Alzheimer's disease also stretches one's thinking about changing environments for anyone with specific needs, or who wants to think about the highest level of safety for family members.

"...Alzheimer's Proofing Your Home" is the most complete, most helpful, and most insightful volume I have read on the subject of AD care. With incredible attention to detail, every issue one could encounter is addressed individually. It isn't enough to have a how-to-do-it manual with AD - Mark confronts matters like behavior, wandering, mobility, safety and comfort with deep sensitivity and compassion. A rich, in-depth source of information, Mark explains in detail how to transform any home into a safe haven in a manner that the patient will find warm and welcoming. Cognitive, spatial, and emotional deficits can be compensated for using Mark's well thought out guidelines, and I wish his book had been around when I began caregiving many years ago. There are many books on the subject, all filling a need; but Mark's is far and away superior to anything I've read, which is considerable. Hundreds of situations and their remedies are explored. Concerns encountered as AD progresses are addressed one by one, with a wealth of hints, tips, and shortcuts that are the lifesaver of harried caregivers. Easy to accomplish safety and comfort measures are provided - how needed! Emphasis is placed on concerns all CGs share - how to keep loved ones protected and content, AD being the antithesis of both. Mark has given us an instructional book, made warm and personal because it's about individuals and their needs. There is a comprehensive listing of product and service providers for caregivers, and most of the numbers are toll free. The title of this book does not begin to do it justice, it's so much more. Plus, it's very attractively bound - a beautiful volume of superior quality. Among my treasured books on the subject of dementia caregiving, this is my bible. ..........Sue B.

I have a relative with AD. We are building and apt for him and his wife. This book has been the greatest resource for the contactor and care giver. Not only does it address medical problems but give suggested solutions and where to get the resource. If one were attempting to redue an existing apt/ house it is very easy to use. My local code enforcement officer has been amazed at the way problems can be adressed and still meet codes. Contractors get to understand more about the needs and how to plan ahead. The book helps suggested solutions to many private issues caregivers are reluctant to discuss. A MUST GIFT TO CAREGIVERS AND COUNSELORS / ORGANICATIONS THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ADVICE.