Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, American Society on Aging, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, American Institute of Architects, American Society of University Women
Inspiration for Business:
Mark Warner graduated with a degree in architecture and a certificate in gerontology. His interest developed into a passion and he wrote The Complete Guide to Alzheimer’s-Proofing Your Home, identifying strategies and products to make homes more dementia-friendly. Once the book was published, readers began calling and asking for the products featured in it. The need for a store that specialized in products for people facing the challenges of dementia became apparent.
Challenges:
Many of the challenges the Warners experienced arose from their home-based business location in Florida. They had to find a caring, dedicated staff willing to work out of the couple’s home. They also had to deal with hurricanes that threatened the business each year. After getting hit by multiple storms that knocked out power and telephone service, they decided to move to the Atlanta area.
Company Now:
The Alzheimer’s Store began with 14 products and has now expanded to nearly 300 products that are sold over the Internet and through the company’s catalog, which is distributed to 75,000 individuals and organizations. The couple also compiles a free newsletter, www.alznews.org, that provides briefings and links to articles on dementia and care-giving issues. Each of the store’s products has its own story and serves very important needs for people living with dementia, those caring for them, and their families. The Alzheimer’s Store is presently listed as a resource in numerous books, newspaper articles, and healthcare publications.
