Learning to listen and taking life lessons from seniors are a gift we should never discount. A reflection shared should be a reflection cherished.
How do you make a full and meaningful life when you can’t do so many of the things you once did? This is the question New York Times reporter, John Leland, has attempted to answer in his seven-year, twenty-one article series interviewing seniors nearing the end of their lives. Some of their thoughts on leading a meaningful life include, “don’t brood about the things you can’t reach; live as if your time is limited; focus on the people you care about and enjoy the pleasures at hand.”
This series should be required reading for anyone working with seniors. It is clear that your goals and what is important to you change with age and experience. I have discovered how important it is to learn to listen to our clients. Regardless of the amount of schooling or degrees after your name, we have much to learn from our clients’ years of experience. I thank our clients who have and will continue to share their experiences with us.
Jerold Rothkoff, a practicing New Jersey and Pennsylvania attorney, is the Principal of the Rothkoff Law Group, an elder care law firm. Jerry dedicates his practice to serving clients in the areas of life care planning, long-term care planning, Medicaid & VA benefits, and advocacy for the elderly and disabled. He is past President of the NJ Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, former chair of the elder law section of the NJ State Bar Association, and past President of the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association. Jerry continues to be an outspoken advocate for the rights of the elderly and disabled. He writes for and gives presentations regularly to attorneys and other professionals about legal issues related to seniors and those with disabilities. Jerry’s community activities include the Twilight Wish Foundation, the Delaware Valley Stroke Council, the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as numerous other advocacy groups. When not in the office, Jerry spends time with his wife, Erica, and their five children, eighteen-year old identical twin girls, Liza and Julia, fifteen-year old fraternal twin boys, Evan and Gregory, and six-year old Aitan.
