Book excerpt: How can health care facilities reduce the use of physical and chemical restraints without sacrificing the quality of care they provide? This creative, practical book presents innovative ideas for improving the quality of life of patients and residents as it details how to: create and implement a safe restraint reduction program; determine how to begin the restraint reduction process with each resident; allay the fears of staff, families, and residents about restraint removal; and develop effective alternatives to restraints. Written by nationally recognized leaders in the field, "Toward a Restraint-Free Environment" helps health-care providers transform their approach to care by laying the foundation for a successful restraint reduction program, and, more importantly, a restraint-free environment.