Author Archives: dgermann

About dgermann

Elder Caring Lawyer

I am responsible

Posted on February 19, 2013 by dgermann

I am responsible though I do not control I can create that which I will not direct Community, relatedness, us This is ever the way Love demands responsibility and starting Looks not to results Bringing a new life into the … Continue reading →

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Birth & death ultimacies

Posted on February 19, 2013 by dgermann

Birth & death —our ultimate times— we can glimpse ultimacy glimpse is all we need to dissolve our other-wiseness :- Doug.

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I don’t have the answers

Posted on February 18, 2013 by dgermann

I don’t have the answers, but we together have better questions. :- Doug.

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I work on the spiritual end of life

Posted on February 17, 2013 by dgermann

I work on the spiritual end of life. :- Doug.

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Listen for the tune not the notes

Posted on February 16, 2013 by dgermann

Listen for the tune not the notes. Hear the story not the things to note. :- Doug.

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When I get older….

Posted on February 15, 2013 by dgermann

I think if I were older and unable to move around much, I would want to meet with a spiritual director and probably artists to work on my creativity and open my spirit. :- Doug.

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A good way to die: When is love appropriate?

Posted on February 14, 2013 by dgermann

There is a big difference between working to end life and allowing life and death to take its course without fighting it interminably and pigheadedly. People must be allowed to die their own ways, whether violently and with invasive and … Continue reading →

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Do we care well in our farewells?

Posted on February 13, 2013 by dgermann

Do we care well in our farewells? :- Doug.

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Not often imparting new knowledge

Posted on February 12, 2013 by dgermann

I’m not often imparting new knowledge. Often I am calling attention to something we all can observe or act upon but usually miss. :- Doug.

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Not a technician

Posted on February 11, 2013 by dgermann

I am not a technician. I’m a human-in-conversation. :- Doug.

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Dying post-maturely

Posted on February 10, 2013 by dgermann

We have always faced the risk of dying prematurely—from heart attacks, road accidents, falls, animal attacks. But now we may live too long—with too much medical treatment, too much needless suffering from CPR, respirators, being strapped and tied to beds … Continue reading →

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Take flowers.

Posted on February 9, 2013 by dgermann

Take Flowers: A friend of mine has a secret for getting good care for her uncle at the nursing home and hospital: she takes flowers and says “Thank you” to the staff who are helping her uncle. She takes cookies … Continue reading →

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Take names.

Posted on February 8, 2013 by dgermann

Take Names: When you are advocating for your Dad at the nursing home or doctor’s office, get personal. Find out the names of the people who are providing care. Not to know whom to sue or complain about, but to … Continue reading →

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Stay put.

Posted on February 7, 2013 by dgermann

Stay Put: What do you do when the doctor rushes out and you did not have a chance to ask all your questions? Ira Byock, in his latest book, The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through … Continue reading →

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News: More hospice, more ICU

Posted on February 6, 2013 by dgermann

Friends– We’re using both hospice and the ICU more at the end of life. Today there is an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association describing a study with these results. There is a more plain English description … Continue reading →

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On being a burden….

Posted on February 6, 2013 by dgermann

For most families you are being a burden if you deny your family the opportunity to care for you in your greatest crisis-time. :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Caring, Death and living while dying, Emergency/Crisis Medical, Family, Healing and Wholeness, Long-Term Care and nursing homes | Leave a comment

“Directive” in “Advance Directive” says too much

Posted on January 26, 2013 by dgermann

The term “directive” in the phrase Advance Directives goes too far. First it seems obligatory, when what is going on is in the nature of a request: help me, use your best faculties to figure out what’s best for a … Continue reading →

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