Assisted Living

" Victor Regnier has produced another excellent and useful book that chronicles the last ten years of progress in assisted living design. From design considerations to case studies using hundreds of photographs and illustrations, the book communicates dozens of cutting-edge concepts." – David J. Hoglund, FAIA, Partner, Perkins-Eastman Architects Spurred by increases in the oldest-old population, long-term care has been reinvented in the form of attractive, homelike settings. Design for Assisted Living provides solutions to the challenges of creating these environments now and into the future. This visually rich book gives a complete overview of designing for the mentally and physically frail elderly. Research garnered from hundreds of buildings in the United States and northern Europe is presented here in design directives, case studies, and practical guidelines.

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy provides a comprehensive overview of the many ways in which animals can be used to assist therapists. Coverage includes how animals can assist specific patient populations (children, the disabled, AIDS patients, etc.), how animals can aid in specific settings (hospitals, prisons, independent practice, etc.), and how professionals can best select appropriate animals (species, breed, and individual temperament) and design an AAT program. Humans have long had a special bond with animals, initially as work animals, then as pets, and now more frequently as therapeutic companions. Animals help the sick recover more quickly and help the aged live longer and more satisfying lives. Specially trained animals are now helping stroke victims, the handicapped, and others to regain or build lost faculties. Increasingly, animals assist in nonphysical/medical therapies, helping the stressed and angry relax and the shy be more forthcoming. Contributors represent the top people in the field from hospital settings, vet hospitals, animal training centers, and therapists in practice.