Third Age Foundation
- There is also a Third Age Foundation (UK).
The Third Age Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara, California. Its purpose is to assist mature adults in achieving longer, healthier, happier lives. According to its website, its "Seven Steps to Rising Energy" are based on recent psychological research connected with adult developmental stages.
Mature adults face the question of what to do with their lives as they grow older. The Third Age Foundation website describes "The Third Age" in this way:
"Somewhere between your mid-40’s and mid-60’s, even if you’re vital and healthy, you may begin to experience anxiety, boredom and restlessness from an undefined cause. You are experiencing a normal crisis brought on by the inevitable and pressing awareness that you won’t live forever. Long-term studies of adult development prove that resolving your unfinished business is the key to a longer, healthier, happier life. The successful resolution of this crisis is vital to how happy you will be and how long you will live."
The Third Age Foundation's seven steps are intended to help mature adults successfully confront the unfinished business. The Foundation does so through "Third Age Groups", which are groups of six to eight people who meet regularly, guided by a facilitator, to share their life struggles and to do Seven Step exercises to focus their energies on improving their adult development.
The Foundation also puts on workshops and presentations, and does individual sessions with people in need.
The Third Age Foundation was founded in 2001 by Peter Brill, M.D., and David Debin. Their biographies can be found at the organization's website. Peter Brill is a psychiatrist who was formerly a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and CEO of two medical companies. David Debin is a former Hollywood producer at MGM and other studios, and is currently a writer.
The Foundation is a membership organization. Allied with the Foundation is the Third Age International, which produces a radio show about the Third Age on KZSB 1290 AM in the Santa Barbara area. The radio show's hosts are founders Peter Brill and David Debin, and also features the actress Anne Francis.