Having autonomy up to a high age is considered a precious thing in our society. But what if it is
lost due to illness, accident or dementia? Most people have not made the necessary provisions for
this eventuality. Heidrun Lange experienced the consequences of this herself: an external legal
guardian was appointed for her parents by the court, who from then on also had control over
their residence and the family finances. Her experiences, especially how affected persons and
relatives are exposed to the "system of care", she has recorded in diary form. Her book is a
personal account of her experiences, but also an educational book that explains the legal
situation in Germany. An urgent appeal to deal with this existentially important topic.
With comments and an interview from Professor Dr. Volker Thieler.
»It can affect anyone. And if one has not submitted a care directive and health care power of attorney in time, legal guardians and custodians can determine as legal representatives in all matters, whether about residence, medical measures or assets.«
»The journalist from Kleinmachnow (Brandenburg) worked her way into the subject
and found many points of criticism about the [german] care system. Her conclusion:
if the guardian does not work well, the family suffers. In the meantime,
politicians have also recognized the problem. On June 23, the
Bundesjustizministerium (Federal Ministry of Justice) presented a corresponding
draft law.«
Die Welt, 25.06.2020
»What [Heidrun Lange] had to experience, how patients and relatives are exposed
to the "system of care", she has summarized in the book "Nightmare Care". It is the
story of a great love, and it is an educational report about the German legal
situation - but above all, the journalist wants to encourage with her painful
experiences, to deal with this issue.«
Neues Deutschland, 06/19/2020
»The author's profession is evident in her book: It was preceded by years of
research, the journalist has supplemented her experiences with numerous pieces
of advice from experts and with other cases.«
Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, Jan. 04-05, 2020
»How on earth had the father been able to submit to this man by contract,
how on earth had the parents gotten into this predicament? All this is revealed by
Heidrun Lange in her book, which ultimately matures into a piece of real literature,
a moving description of love in old age, the pain of separation and the loss of
life's joy unto death. [...] In the second part of the book Heidrun Lange writes
in a style corresponding to the content: down to earth. [...] In short, we learn#
about the fate of an aging couple and at the same time receive a guidebook worth
reading.«
Neues Deutschland, 11/21/2019
4,6 out of 5 stars on Amazon
