Author Archives: dgermann

About dgermann

Elder Caring Lawyer

Surgeons confused by Living Wills: Study

Posted on December 22, 2011 by dgermann

Friends– Here is an article from the Annals of Surgery which headlines that Surgeons don’t discuss end of life care, especially when they are performing risky procedures: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/16/us-directives-idUSTRE7BF0F720111216 (More details are available here: http://www.surgery.wisc.edu/research/publication/1341 ) But if you read more … Continue reading →

Posted in Conversation, Death and living while dying, Emergency/Crisis Medical, Healing and Wholeness, Powers of Attorney | Leave a comment

When your time comes to die….

Posted on December 22, 2011 by dgermann

When your time comes to die where would you like to be and with whom? :- Doug.

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We can live until we die

Posted on December 22, 2011 by dgermann

We can live until we die giving receiving giving —a respiration :- Doug.

Posted in Family, Healing and Wholeness, Poetry | Leave a comment

Lively and life-affirming conversations

Posted on December 21, 2011 by dgermann

These conversations turning about end of life caring are lively and life-affirming; these conversations are fun when you get them going; the essence of courage is to take a breath and ask people to converse; the essence of conversation, these … Continue reading →

Posted in Conversation, Death and living while dying, Family | Leave a comment

Conversing about emergency medical decisions = loving

Posted on December 21, 2011 by dgermann

To have the conversation about emergency medical decisions is a loving thing to do—for them and for you. It makes their soul-searching easier when they are deciding for you, it allows them to know they are doing the last most … Continue reading →

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Prognosis: if you knew….

Posted on December 12, 2011 by dgermann

Friends– “For an 85 year old patient, with a life expectancy of six years, a frank discussion of prognosis might result in “a significant reordering of health priorities,” said Alexander K. Smith. “For example, maintaining mobility, putting financial affairs in … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Caring, Conversation, Death and living while dying, Emergency/Crisis Medical, Healing and Wholeness, News | Leave a comment

Video: Imagine you can’t speak….

Posted on December 5, 2011 by dgermann

Hi friends– Here is an excellent video from National Healthcare Decisions Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Bar0qZTUGdw#! :- Doug.

Posted in Emergency/Crisis Medical | Leave a comment

Want more?

Posted on December 1, 2011 by dgermann

In Senior Living Environments, of what do we want more? What is being done well? :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Conversation, Long-Term Care and nursing homes | Leave a comment

News: MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse

Posted on November 30, 2011 by dgermann

Here is an updated study: http://www.metlife.com/mmi/research/elder-financial-abuse.html :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Family, News | Leave a comment

Hearing takes more effort than listening

Posted on November 30, 2011 by dgermann

Hearing takes more effort than listening Hearing draws a smaller circle —in us —of the other Hearing makes the other real to us & opens our heart Though this circle is smaller It serves the all by opening us out … Continue reading →

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Walking through doors makes us forget

Posted on November 19, 2011 by dgermann

Hi– A new Notre Dame study shows why walking through doorways makes us forget: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237974.php :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, News | Leave a comment

Imprisoning people with Alzheimer’s

Posted on November 16, 2011 by dgermann

The face of disability is changing and it is us. We are becoming an aging society and our living longer has revealed to us new accouterments of aging in the form of various dementias, most of which are physical. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Caring | Leave a comment

Weeding another’s garden

Posted on November 9, 2011 by dgermann

Weeding another’s garden A task I now own I’d hoped but not so easily done More work than I thought Why’d they give me this job? I have other things to do The weeds among the flowers The vegetables need … Continue reading →

Posted in Estates: Administration & Probate, Family, Poetry | Leave a comment

Yes it’s true: Holy Smoke

Posted on November 2, 2011 by dgermann

Hi– I thought it was a joke when I got the email: someone offering to load your cremated remains in a shotgun (or larger!) shell so you can have one last turkey shoot. Then I found a reference in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and living while dying, News | Leave a comment

Is tells us Do

Posted on November 2, 2011 by dgermann

Is tells us Do Emergency! How do you make the best decisions for your loved one in a medical emergency? You need to converse. The conversation’s words do not give a recipe for what to do; we cannot cover every … Continue reading →

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Not old enough to be 65!

Posted on October 30, 2011 by dgermann

I’m not old enough to be 65—nor do I intend to be. :- Doug.

Posted in Aging | Leave a comment

Video: Consider the Conversation

Posted on October 27, 2011 by dgermann

  This is a wonderful video excerpts from which I have shown to Boomer Bootcamp audiences. It is about end of life decisions–everything from CPR to compassionate care in our final days and hours. My wife and I also watched … Continue reading →

Posted in Conversation, Death and living while dying, Emergency/Crisis Medical, Family | 1 Comment