Old age is 15 years older than you are, suggested Oliver Wendell Holmes. Whether or not you agree with him, preparing for your later years is still a good idea.

Preparing emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially can make the later decades of your life more pleasant.

Entering the later stages of life is easier when the soul is nourished, notes Larry Brandon, vice president of pastoral services for Christian Homes, Inc., a family of senior residential communities in the Midwest.

“Spiritually, your soul dies if you don’t have nutrition to feed it,” Brandon says.

“Basics for soul nourishment include prayer, Bible reading, and worship.”

“Find ways to stay close to God. Praise and thank him. Serve others. This will build the kind of ‘soul muscles’ that will sustain you through your entire life.”

“If you’re anxious about the security of your future, remember that warm, loving relationships give meaning to life—not money,” he says.

The best preparation for your later years is to make many friends and be part of many community groups. Volunteering at a hospital, an inner-city mission, or a retirement community can be great nurture for your soul.

Older adults who take charge of their lives can thrive. Think of older people who have a twinkle in their eye and a warm smile on their face, Brandon suggests.

These are not usually isolated persons. They’re people who find others with whom to pray, eat, worship, discuss books, travel, or volunteer.

They’re not people who passively and anxiously sit alone, hoping someone will come along and make their lives exciting. They initiate connections.

“I know older people who get together to make hundreds of pounds of noodles every year,” Brandon says. ”They see it as a ministry to each other and to the community. This kind of creativity is essential for wholeness in all people—especially those preparing for the later years of life.”

You can make the most of your later years by preparing physically, notes Jenelle Ishmael, a vice president at Christian Homes.

Lifestyle—much more than the aging process—determines how you will fare later in life. A strong, vibrant faith contributes to both physical and mental health.

Getting involved socially and staying stimulated are important in maintaining your good health in later life. If you become secluded, it’s easy to become depressed, Ishmael says.

Staying active is critical. Everyone—including older adults—should engage in physical activity at least five days a week.

If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you increase the propensity to age-related disease and premature death.

Strength and balance training is very helpful because as you age, you lose both, Ishmael says. A number of YMCAs and health clubs offer programs for seniors to help them stay physically active.

Even if you lose interest in cooking as you age, proper nutrition is still necessary. Nutritious meals are available at senior centers and restaurants or through home meal delivery.

Staying on top of your medications also is essential for good health, Ishmael says. Although pill organizers are useful, electronic medication systems with voice reminders can help ensure you take the proper dosage at the right time.

If you want to live in your own home as long as possible, you’ll need to evaluate your home environment, Ishmael says. You’ll need grab bars in the bathtub or shower. As your vision changes, you’ll need plenty of lighting, including nightlights. Throw rugs and accumulated clutter will need to be removed to prevent accidents.

If you have laundry facilities in the basement, they’ll need to be moved upstairs. If you have steps, you may need sturdy handrails or a ramp. A lift chair also can be helpful if you have trouble rising from a seated position.

If your health is declining and you choose to remain in your home, services for home healthcare, transportation, and general errands are available. A medical alert button for use in an emergency can provide peace of mind.

Aging is a natural process, Ishmael says. Accepting changes that come with aging will allow you to stay in your home longer, if that is what you want. But many seniors are making other arrangements.

“Today’s seniors are more active and independent than ever,” says Tim Phillippe, president of Christian Homes. “You’ll find many housing options available to accommodate your lifestyle as you get older.”

You may find you’re ready to give up the hassle of maintaining your own home. Independent living homes and apartments for seniors are becoming increasingly popular for that reason.

Living in a senior complex will allow you to continue to be self-reliant. You’ll be able to come and go as you please while maintaining your privacy. Social interaction in senior communities can be a blessing as you age.

Assisted living facilities are ideal if you reach the point where you can no longer remain in your own home but don’t require skilled nursing care. At an assisted living facility you can remain independent while getting help with activities such as dressing, bathing, and medication reminders.

If you reach the point where you move from your own home into an assisted living facility, you could be among the seniors who flourish in that setting. Better nutrition, assistance with medications, and opportunities to make new friends can make a huge difference.

A growing number of seniors are taking advantage of nursing homes for short-term stays as they recuperate from illness or surgery. Such onsite nursing care and rehabilitation facilities speed their recovery. Lost abilities are often restored through occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy.

Nursing homes are changing from the regimented institutions of yesteryear to welcoming places with resident-centered care, Phillippe notes.

Christian Homes is among the industry leaders implementing a neighborhood model in its skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Smaller settings provide a home-like environment for the residents and allow them greater individualized attention.

Faith-based senior communities like Christian Homes also provide a Christian atmosphere with opportunities for worship, Bible study, and fellowship.

Investigating housing options for your later years is important. If you put off moving out of your own home too long, you might require nursing care rather than assisted living or other options.

A final significant way to prepare for your later years is to consider the legacy you’ll leave behind after you’ve gone home to be with the Lord.

A legacy of a strong Christian faith and good stewardship can be evident in your estate plan, says Larry Simonson, a certified financial planner who serves as director of estate planning at Christian Homes.

The main component of your estate plan will be your will or a revocable living trust with a pour-over will. The revocable living trust will save your family time and money compared to a will, Simonson says. Since the trust doesn’t have to be probated like a will, the funds can be distributed much faster. Your family could also avoid thousands of dollars in probate costs.

Simonson also highly recommends attaching a personal letter of instruction to your will or trust. This letter can be a testament to your faith as you describe your relationship with God. You can also express your desire for your children and grandchildren to walk with the Lord.

The personal letter of instruction, which should be reviewed every three to five years, also would include a directive on the distribution of your personal property.

An estate plan benefits the loved ones you leave behind. It’s important to have a clear and fair plan to reduce the likelihood that your heirs get upset with each other.

“An important goal of your estate plan should be trying to ensure that your children are still speaking to each other after your estate is closed out,” Simonson says. “Often it’s not money adult children fight over, but rather something like a picture or an antique table.”

Your estate plan also is your last opportunity to do something for kingdom work as part of your legacy. By including a percentage of your estate for your church and other Christian organizations, you’re taking care of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

You can have an estate plan drawn up by an attorney. Or you can check to see if your favorite Christian ministry provides estate planning services for free or at a reduced rate.

“Everything we have is owned by God,” Simonson says. “The question is, ‘What would God have us do with our resources when we pass on?’”

As the poet Robert Browning said, “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.” As Christians, we can rejoice in the truth of that statement. |L

Are you prepared for your senior years?