Frank Ostaseski’s Five Precepts of Service lend a strong foundation to the work of accompaniment … The Third Precept: Don’t Wait. Patience is different than waiting. When we wait, we are full of expectations. When we’re waiting, we miss what this moment has to offer. Worrying or strategizing about what the future holds for us, […]
Checklist Manifesto … Gawande’s best-seller on the humble checklist as a fulcrum of quality improvement … … ends up arguing that we should ” embrac[e] a culture of teamwork and discipline.” (p. 160) The ‘checklist’ is really just a catalyst, a tool, to get people to talk to each other and work together as a
atul gawande … on improvement Read More »
… no one will need to be good Oh my soul, be prepared for the coming of the Stranger. Be prepared for him who knows how to ask questions. There is one who remembers the way to your door: Life you may evade, but Death you shall not. You shall not deny the Stranger. They
dreaming of systems so perfect … Read More »
… Paying for the ‘Institutionalized’ Spouse … A good summary of the ‘options’ when one spouse needs more care than the other is able to provide at home. The comments reveal a lot about our culture’s priorities and response to persons in need.
when one spouse needs more care … Read More »
… of the most absolute human loneliness we can listen to a voice that calls us, and we can find a hand that takes hold of us and leads us out. The human being lives because he is loved and can love; if love has penetrated even into the realm of death, life has arrived
even in the extreme darkness … Read More »
… please visit the newly added Food and Water for the Journey at Life’s End … We provide for the person in their need … the question is always “What does this person need – in terms of food and water?” … never “Should we give this person food and water (… a feeding tube)?”
food & water … at life’s end Read More »
Frank Ostaseski’s Five Precepts of Service lend a strong foundation to the work of accompaniment … The Second Precept: Bring Your Whole Self to the Experience In the process of healing others and ourselves we open to both our joy and fear. In the service of this healing we draw on our strength and helplessness,
bring your whole self to the experience … Read More »
… John Wooden on death … and life … Lindsey Yourman at Geripal alerts us to a video of John Wooden discussing death and life (entire Rick Reilly interview here) … and reciting the poem below. Another tribute (with lots of links) to Wooden here. “Once I was afraid of dying, Not Anymore” by Swen Nater
I’m not afraid to die … Read More »
… encounter with reality … In the soothing softness of the modern world, the mass of traditional rules which gave consistency to life broke up as the frozen surface of a stream breaks up in spring … Thanks to the progress of technology, the greater part of the restraints imposed on us by the cosmos
more observation … less discussion Read More »
… or community empowerment? … Atul Gawande’s take offers a fascinating reminder of the history of Medicare as well as a Boston hospital’s quality improvement efforts for children with asthma.
health reform … government takeover … Read More »
