William C. Mann, Editor, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. 2005.

For those of us who either deal with patients with disabilities and/or family members with disabilities or who are aging or need care/assistance, this book is a treasure-trove of information and resources. The first of a 2-volume set (the second volume is scheduled to be published in July 2006), this book highlights, analyzes, and reviews all of the technology available to us-from basic adaptive equipment to "smart houses"-that promote independence and better quality of life for patients with disabilities and physical, mental, or cognitive limitations.

The first chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book by defining terms and outlining demographic changes that underscore the need for more and better means to allow these patients to live as independently as possible. Chapters 2 to 5 review and explore the latest technological advances (eg, smart houses, robotics, telemedicine, and other advanced equipment); their advantages and disadvantages and their potential. Chapters 6 to 10 describe and review current technologies from the simplest and most basic adaptive equipment; to preventing falls and medication errors and elder driving and transportation issues.

This book is the work of a professor of Occupational Therapy and a group of doctoral students, so the depth and scope of the research is broad and thorough. The book is very well written without reading like a doctoral dissertation or with discernable changes in style, text, or flow among and between contributing authors. There are also extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter plus a section listing federal, state, local, and private resource organizations with their names, addresses, e-mail addresses, or Web sites and 1-800 phone numbers. Although not directed at critical care nurses or leaders, all nurses and caregivers who deal with patients, family, or friends with limitations or disabilities will find this a very useful handbook.

Reviewed by

Ellen Redick, RN, MSN, MEd, CNA, CPHQ

Director of Performance Improvement

South Miami Hospital, Miami, Fla

Ms Redick also serves as a reviewer

of manuscripts for DCCN

mailto:[email protected]