Self Care in the Third Third of Life

This article is part of The Third Third of Life Toolkit—a collection of resources for ministry to and with people ages 55 and over, brought to you by two ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America: Disability Concerns and Faith Formation Ministries.

People used to accept the losses of old age without question or challenge. But as life expectancy continues to climb, many people in the third third of life are looking for ways to live well as they age—to stay healthy mentally and physically. The resources gathered here reflect some of their thinking, along with advice from experts. 

Articles

• Happily Ever After: 25 Ways to Live Well into Old Age. Authors Susan Saunders and Annabel Streets suggest healthy habits that might transform life for some third-thirders.

• Interested in Aging Well? It’s Easier than You Think. Doug Cook reports the findings of a worldwide conference on how we can add life to our years and not just years to our lives.

• Jump-Start Your Fitness. Ted Spiker challenges older adults to start a daily fitness program and stick to it. He offers many helpful suggestions for making that happen.

Films and Videos

Both of these films are guaranteed to stimulate discussion about lifestyle in the third third of life!

• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011). Seven British retirees respond to an online ad and travel to India, where each one is differently enchanted and challenged.

• Age of Champions (2011). This documentary profiles five senior athletes training to compete at the National Senior Olympics.

FOR THOUGHT OR DISCUSSION

• What suggestions have you found most interesting and motivating in the articles and videos on this page? 

• What two changes could you make that would contribute to your health as you age?

• What might church leaders do to encourage good health practices among third-thirders?

QUESTIONS?

If you’re part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and you have questions about how to strengthen your church’s ministry to and with people in the third third of life, one of Faith Formation Ministries’ Regional Catalyzers would love to talk with you about ideas and strategies.