Ever since they found out about the Alzheimer’s, they’ve been on me to come back where I can be “looked after”.:rolleyes:
There’s really nothing to keep me here - no relationship, and I don’t even know if I can continue to work or for how long, and what employer is going to hire me wondering if at any time I could go “booga-booga” permanently.
Not going to happen anytime soon, but I would appreciate any input.
We wouldn’t be any farther away from each other than we are now, right?
Thanks
Bill
Would Germany let you back in? Where and how would you live when you got there? Are you a German citizen? If there’s nothing to hold you where you are, then I say go. Friends and family are important.
As much as we would miss having you “next door” in Georgia, it might be a good thing.
Well, I know my mother does better when she has family around, she perks right up when mrAru and I are there on visits [or so my brother, who lives with her tells me when we speak afterwards.]
I would think that it would be something for you to consider. If you go back now, you can get settled in and into a routine that will carry through when you start having more issues. I think that your family would be made happier about the eventual outcome if they have some memories of you now, instead of perhaps waiting until you are well along the slide down.
My main concern is with your medical care, if you can get the same meds you are currently on and if the treatments will change according to the newest research …
And the internet is all over … so we would still have you here =)
Would they let me back in?
God I hope so, since I was born there!
But that is a very good question: would they let me back in and STAY?
My dual citizenship is in question right now, since my dad was an American and I am now a naturalized American (I had to become naturalized in order to join the American Air Force during the Viet Nam years - couldn’t shirk my responsibility to my adopted country, could I;))
Ah, Og. So much uncertainty at such a late stage in my life.:rolleyes:
I just appreciate being able to come here and ask for advice.
Y’all mean the world to me.
(But you knew that, didntcha?)
Q
I think there’s a lot of value in having people around to help you out. You may not need them now, but you probably will in the future, sadly.
why not contact the German consulate or embassy to ask about the citizenship issue? always helps to have as much info as possible before making a major decision.
I wonder how valuable speaking more German would be to your therapy. There’s got to be a good chunk of healthy brain activity going on for someone who’s bi-lingual and using it.
Quasimodem, I’d guess you should check the nuts and bolts of medical treatment in Germany, how it would work for you. Alzheimer’s was named after the German scientist who “discovered” it, and, in a rough search, I saw there were some new developments there.
Do you get Veteran’s benefits from your service? Would that be useful in Germany, like at a US military base there? Or more valuable here? If you could go back to family in Germany, will the health care there as a German citizen be better?
It’s nice that your family there cares about you, and that may be ultimately worth more than any $ of health care.
Of course, everyone here wil be here the same, Hon, as you can type your thoughts as well from either place. Better to weigh this all now, before it’s really a chore. My best heartfelt wishes to you in wading through it all.
Hi Quasi,
I’m going to agree with everyone else. You know we’re all here for you, but nothing beats having family to help you out. I don’t know German immigration law, but I’d suspect that as a natural-born German citizen you’d be OK.
And you’re right; we’ll all be just as close as we are now.
Moving in that direction, Johnny.
Just gotta get all my ducks in a row first as far as my disability and my pension are concerned, and then we’re looking at maybe late November for the move.
I will have to sell almost everything (including my beloved guitars - except for one), but if that is what it takes to get a little happiness at the winter of my years - then that is what I will do.
And guess what?
Any of my Doper kids who wanna come to Germany for a visit are gonna have a place to crash! NO CHARGE. Just your company will do fine!
And I will expect visits.
Of course y’all may have to help change my diaper! 
Bill
Why would you have to sell all your guitars?
I’m glad you’ll be returning to your family. Paid care is never the same quality as loving care.
Having lived in Germany for 14 years, I know it is a nice place to live - plus they have some amazing social benefits which would mean you would be taken care of, no matter what your financial/health situation.
Other than the sucky weather, Germany is actually a great place to go - especially if you already have friends and family there. With the Internet, you won’t feel disconnected. I really don’t see the downside to this move.
If something drastic were to happen to me, or my SO, we have Germany at the top of our list as alternative home location.
Yeah why sell off your guitars? Is it for money purposes or you just can’t get them over to Germany?
If it’s a logistics thing, you should ship them to another guitar-lovin US Doper (like WordMan) and pay them to ship them over to you as you can afford it.
Don’t just give up on your 6-stringed babies!
I second this post and agree with the others that you should go. I know I would. Plus you can take pictures of all the cool places around Germany and share them with us on the dope. I’d love to see them.
What, they have Guitar control in Germany? Take them all!
I know that for most of us, our work is a big part of how we define ourselves–maybe more for Americans than other nationalities. But man, if you’ve got a chance to just chuck it and smell the roses, at this point I would definitely do it. Am I to understand that your dad is American but your mom is German? If so I can’t see how you don’t have dual citizenship. I don’t think the U.S. government allows any of us to have dual citizenship from their perspective. If I were to somehow make it to Germany and be naturalized, I would lose my American citizenship. But, they can’t control anyone else’s policies on this subject; if Germany says you’re a dual citizen, you’re a dual citizen.
I liked the country myself. Sucky weather as has been said, but you know how it goes…the suckier, the greener and prettier usually. And of course the geography of Europe is so enticing, with everything close at hand.
I was in Göttingen, not far from Kassel and Hannover. What region will you be living in?
Dear Kids
I would have to sell pretty much ALL that I own (except for one guitar) to make that move, because it will take at least 10 k Euros to set up housekeeping (apartment, furnishings - remember an apt. in Germany isn’t the same as an apt here).
I currently own 6 guitars, (all blue) a set of Pearls (ditto on the blue) , two amps, and a keyboard.
No way could I take all of that with me.
I will keep my sweet little Takamine Jasmine accoustic/electric.
BTW, in case I haven’t told y’all lately?
LOVE YOU! little shits!
Bill
So sorry to have not answered you till now!
PLEASE forgive?
You are right: Dad was an American soldier who married my German mother after WWII.
Yes, I THOUGHT I have dual citizenship, but when I became naturalized (to join the USAF to fight for my adopted country) they tell me I renounced all claims to German citizenship/
Spec?
I have bundles of paperwork of correspondence between me and the German government about this, and they just will NOT relent!
Again, I apologize for not having responded sooner. You must think I’m a colossal Arschloch!
Also, I hope to be living in Bavaria. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is where I grew up, although me and my family lived ALL OVER Germany!
Thank you and thanks also for your note!
Bill
Kiddos, it’s a matter of money and SPACE. Anyone who lives in Deutschland can tell you how tough it is to furnish an apartment over there.
I cannot possibly take them all, plus there are some other things that I will have to give up, but I will do so gladly to live “back home” again.
Plus, I can always buy MORE blue guitars, right?
Bill