The Next Phase -- Postscript · Dan Keller · June 6, 2026

Our Saga Continues

More thoughts on navigating the final stretch

Since I posted The Next Phase, several of my friends have gotten in touch with thoughts about their own trajectories. Unsurprisingly, for us old farts this is a topic of great concern.

The downward spiral

Like me, you're probably having these conversations with peers about plans for managing the downward spiral. And, no doubt, like me, you're finding that most have done little. The advance directive is easy -- just fill out a form -- but figuring out where and how to live is hard and raises issues that are not pleasant to face. So most don't. And the ones who do often make choices that I wouldn't.

Here's the thing: we do have resources and it is within our grasp to create some kind of trajectory for ourselves that could be pretty great. Or at least greater than the default, e.g. our kids getting us institutionalized. (I got long term care insurance as protection.)

I'm thinking, how about working together to create a supportive environment for ourselves that we'd enjoy? Maybe like being back to sharing a house in college? Not that, exactly, but where we can, say, cook together when we feel like doing that?

Realistically, I can't imagine how to make something like that come true and anyway we would have needed to get started years ago. Too late now. Still, a discussion should be had.

Welcome to our new reality! Call me up! Let's talk!