Main description:

In Alone and Invisible No More, physician Allan S. Teel, MD, describes how to overhaul our eldercare system. Based on his own efforts to create humane, affordable alternatives in Maine, Teel's program harnesses both staff and volunteers to help people remain in their homes and communities. It offers assistance with everyday challenges, uses technology to keep older people connected to each other and their families, and stay safe. This approach works.

Contents:

1. Gram Teel

2. The gray tsunami

3. A brief history of residential care in America

4. The Lincoln home

5. Cove's Edge

6. Forgive me, Elsie

7. A better way, we thought

8. Government regulation beyond reason

9. The state of Maine vs. common sense

10. Breakthrough: the roots of the Main approach

11. How the Maine approach was born: the pilot project

12. The Maine approach menu

13. Connecting elders to each other and to caregivers through technology

14. The Maine approach in action

15. Early successes and tough lessons

16. The dignity of risk

17. Are we there yet? Not by a mile

18. Alone and invisible too: the next generation

19. Rolling it out nationally, reaping additional rewards

20. Closing thoughts