Virtual villagers the lost children-making an elder?

I knowthat in order to have an elder and find the 4th gong piece, u need 2 have a villager who is master in 3 skills....I have a couple who r pretty close to being there, but they're rele old and clearly about to peg it, so does anyone know a way to speed up the pace at which they gain skills and raise their level, like a potion or something? answer a.s.a.p before they drop down dead plz!!