Why a new and special Web site?
As this Web site develops, "Living Longer, Feeling Better" will provide appropriate health related information, skill building and opportunities for volunteering and service. It will offer a forum for participants to share with one another the stories of their lives and experiences.
"Living Longer, Feeling Better" will help transform the way older adults are often viewed by society by lifting up the wisdom and skills, contributions and service, and role modeling and commitment of Presbyterians who are reaching retirement and who have already retired.
With a current median age of 60, within the next five years, more than half of all Presbyterians will be of retirement age and many will leave the workforce.
This large group of baby boomers and older adults in general are in excellent health and are aging well. However, in order to maintain optimal health and reduce the health risks that for some a sedentary lifestyle has produced, closer attention to diet, exercise, remedies for caregiver stresses and promotion of healthy living will be necessary.
For many people who have been full-time in the workforce for 40+years, retirement brings both opportunities and challenges. Meaningful engagement in volunteer work not only fosters sustained optimal physical and mental health, it provides a wealth of learning opportunities and contributes to feelings of worth for aging and older adults. And, importantly, the potential value of the contributions of active, vital, well-networked and committed adults to ministry and missions through their congregations and in their communities is too large to calculate.
We acknowledge the numerical strength and tremendous value of this aging and older group and want to provide information and programs that encourage older and aging adults to not only be good stewards of their health, but excite and further engage them to fullyand meaningfully participate in all aspects of the life of the church and its ministry and mission.
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