Health Connections: Only as Old as You Feel by Pat Gleich

Newsflash: the median age of members in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is now 60! Half of all Presbyterians are either near or over the magic retirement line. And a group of baby boomers is piling up to tip the scales even more that way in the next two decades.

A couple of years ago I was prodded by a colleague to consider the demographics of the church and to begin focused programming for older adults. Feeling inadequate, I sought out a graduate study program in gerontology, and I was home! As one of the “older” boomers, I also had a vested interest in learning more about the aging process. One of the first things I learned was that I had started aging the day I was born, as opposed to when I passed—as my dad refers to it—the half-century mark! So any aging anxieties my peers or I might feel are really misplaced. We should be pros at aging by the time we hit 50!

What can you do to make sure aging is a positive experience? Find out by reading the MarchApril issue of Horizons.

Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping).

Pat Gleich is the Associate for Health Ministries in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

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What can you do to make sure aging is a positive experience? Find out by reading the MarchApril issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping).	Only as Old as You Feel by Pat Gleich Newsflash: the median age of members in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is now 60! Half of all Presbyterians are either near or over the magic retirement line. And a group of baby boomers is piling up to tip the scales even more that way in the next two decades. A couple of years ago I was prodded by a colleague to consider the demographics of the church and to begin focused programming for older adults. Feeling inadequate, I sought out a graduate study program in gerontology, and I was home! As one of the “older” boomers, I also had a vested interest in learning more about the aging process. One of the first things I learned was that I had started aging the day I was born, as opposed to when I passed—as my dad refers to it—the half-century mark! So any aging anxieties my peers or I might feel are really misplaced. We should be pros at aging by the time we hit 50! What can you do to make sure aging is a positive experience? Find out by reading the MarchApril issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping). Pat Gleich is the Associate for Health Ministries in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Other Articles Online This Issue Vocation—Who, Me? PLSE: A New Program Helps Young Presbyterians Catch the Beat of Christian Service The Call Toward Joy God Called, I Answered! Am I a Leader? God Has Done Great Things for Me! It Hurts to Be Real "God Has a Task for Me to Finish!" Toward a More Colorful Vision of Vocation Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Nurturing Our Faith Health Connections Mosaic	Current Issue MAR/APR 2008 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the March/April 2008 (HZN-08-210) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call (800) 524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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