Page 9 - Boca ViewPointe - October '22

October 2022 Viewpointe, Page 9
My Journey Through Old Age

By Robert W. Goldfarb muscles, several of my friends suffer disabilities that keep Coping with old age and its uncertainties has become much
them in almost constant pain. Night offers little respite, as harder for me. Just before the pandemic struck, my wife of 66
At 92, I know virtually nothing of the science of aging. spasms in one body part or another shock them awake. Just years died suddenly and unexpectedly. In an instant, the center
I’m not a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, social worker or rising from a chair calls upon muscles that no longer respond. of my world was gone.
nutritionist. What I do know about growing old, I’ve learned I speak with these friends about many things, but know it From the time I was 23 years old until weeks before my
on my own journey into my nineties. Without a shred of would be cruel to ask if they share my belief that we have a ninetieth birthday, Muriel was alongside me. I felt safe just
medical evidence, I believe that if one is basically healthy, modest voice in the way we age. knowing she was on the other side of our bed. But now Muriel
the way we respond to aging is a decision made in the mind, I know disability is out there stalking me, waiting for was gone, taking with her the confidence with which we traveled
not in the body. me to become available prey. A scratch I barely feel bleeds together through old age.
I’m not as strong, as quick, as mentally supple as I was through multiple band-aids. The slightest graze stamps an From the first moments of our loss, my children and
even a year ago. But my body seems to listen when I ask it angry welt. My shoulder bones grate audibly when I raise grandchildren have surrounded me with love. A few close friends
to run three miles, to lift bags of groceries without a cashier’s my arms. touch me with acts of kindness. As the weeks became months and
help, to fly across the country to visit family and to accept I’m aware I’m a stumble away from a walker; that now years, that love carried the first hint that I could rediscover
invitations rather than stay home. As long as I’m fortunate one of those welts could eventually foretell something the path I had hoped to follow through these final years.
enough to enjoy moderately good health, I’m determined to lethal. Disability reluctantly prowls away now, but remains That path would have remained forever blocked without the
continue taking these small steps as I grow older. confident I’m future prey. Until it pounces on me, I hope to love and kindness of my family and close friends. But I sensed
Good health, of course, has a way of fleeing somewhere journey deeper into my nineties with purpose, sometimes something else was needed if I were to be more than a lonely
along that journey. Tethered to fragile bones and listless even with passion. old man struggling to find his way. I couldn’t name what else
was needed, but felt its absence in both my body and my mind.
Attending to my body was not new to me and I would
begin there. I’d long been a “gym rat” but feared going to a
gym even as the pandemic lifted. I would begin exercising in
my living room, doing squats, crunches, planks, lunges, push
ups and stretches with no one nearby to offer suggestions or
encouragement.
Buying a book on exercising without equipment made it
possible to strengthen my body for the journey that lay ahead.
But preparing my mind for that journey required more of me
than a book and makeshift gym.
Scott Cohen is Here to Help! A Buddhist friend, knowing of my quest, guided me to part

Your fellow Boca Pointe Resident is available to of myself I had rarely entered before. He encouraged me to
meditate and introduced me to spiritual teachers who led guided
help with Property Insurance Claims to ensure meditations I could hear on my iPhone. For 30 minutes every
your insurance company treats you fairly! day, I now slip into the stillness I discovered was there, deep
within me.
I began studying the sacred texts of various religions and
Do You Have an INSURANCE CLAIM? met with a Catholic priest, a Buddhist monk, a Hindu guru and
● Water damage? ● Fire? an orthodox rabbi. I’m not a religious man, but knew it wasn’t
● Roof leak? ● Mold? reason that would illuminate my path, but something I would
have to find, not in my mind but in my being.
● Damaged floor tile? ● Storm damage? Meditating and talking with those who searched for their
● Plumbing leak? ● Kitchen/Bathroom damage? own path through life led me to a quiet place within myself.
● Cabinet damage? Life became less stressful, gentler. Words that once would have
Scott Will Get You the Settlement YOU Deserve! floated past now drew me inward. Stillness, compassion, loving
awareness, calm, acceptance, mindfulness became more than
Closed, Denied, Underpaid Claim? He can help! Call for a FREE no obligation inspection! just words; they led me back to the path I thought I had lost.
I no longer feel my journey is a lonely one. I think less
No recovery? No fee!! about what I lost and more about what I had for all those
Your insurance company has experts on their side – SHOULDN’T YOU? years. I’m profoundly grateful for the love of my children and
Call Scott directly (954) 937-1224 / scohen@tpc.insure grandchildren and the kindness of friends. And for something
deep within me that is leading me to where it knows I must go.
www.tpcpublicadjusters.com
Bob’s articles have appeared in The New York Times, The
Policyholders who hired public adjusters for non-catastrophe claims received 574% more money than those who did not hire a P.A, Filing a claim can
not legally affect your coverage. This is a solicitation if you have filed a claim and are happy with your settlement please disregard this advertisement. San Francisco Chronicle and in Next Avenue, the publication
of the Public Broadcasting Service. His book, “What’s Stopping
Me From Getting Ahead?” was published by McGraw Hill and
is in five languages. 
Everyone deserves a doctor who they

trust and like. One who listens and Are You Watching

takes their time to answer questions Your Speed?

and address concerns. A doctor who is Please obey all posted speed limit

available when you need them most. signs throughout Boca Pointe for the
safety of our residents. As a reminder,
the speed limits are as follows:

I provide proactive, preventive, wellness & sick care to Boca Pointe Drive 30mph
Via de Sonrisa del Norte 25mph
adult patients at my concierge medical practice. Promenade Drive 20mph
SPEEDING FINES ARE
BEING ENFORCED!! 
To discuss your health needs, and my care model, you

are invited to a complimentary meet and greet with
me - by video, phone or, when the pandemic permits, Current Events
in-person at my practice.
Group
Please call 561.368.0191 to schedule your meet and
greet with me. I look forward to meeting you. The Current Events Group meet every Monday from
10am-11:30am at the BPCA office. The members consist
Steven E. Reznick, MD, FACP of both men and women and all Boca Pointe residents are
Recognized as a “Best Doc”. Practicing in our community since 1979. invited to attend. If you would like more information or
to sign up, please call 516-835-2670. 
7280 W. Palmetto Park Road | Suite 205N | Boca Raton | 33433
ww.BocaConciergeDoc.com