Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Leisure Activity Demand of Older Adults: A Case Study

  • Published:
Ageing International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Leisure serves an important role in the lives of most people, especially in later life. Leisure activities assist elderly individuals not only in enhancing their physical health, mental health and social support but also in rebuilding their self-confidence and self-respect. The purpose of this study is to explore the leisure activity demand of older adults. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 participants, and answers to the following questions were sought: Why do older adults participate or not participate in leisure activities? The findings suggest that planners should adapt to the comprehensive and diverse needs of older adults by providing flexible programs, help them to regain confidence, consider the possibility of activities to send home, and increase the types and locations of older adult leisure activities. These findings have implications for leisure activities in future planning and development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arsenault, N., & Anderson, G. (1998). New learning horizons for older adults. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 69(3), 27–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.1998.10605088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bammel, G., & Burrus-Bammel, L. L. (1992). Leisure and human behavior. Dubuque, IA : Wm. C. Brown.

  • Burnett-Wolle, S., & Godbey, G. (2017). Refining research on older adults’ leisure: Implications of selection, optimization, and compensation and socioemotional selectivity theories. Journal of Leisure Research, 39(3), 498–513. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2007.11950119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, H. H. (2017). Flow experience in the leisure activities of retirees. Loisir Et Société / Society and Leisure, 403, 401–419. https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.2017.1379163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chien, M. K. (2019). The Relationship among Leisure Motivation, Leisure participation and leisure constraints of senior - a case study in southern. Leisure Industry Research, 17(4), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.6746/LIR.201912_17(4).0003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. F. (2014). Flow experience in the daily lives of retirees: An analysis of the interaction between flow, individual differences, serious leisure, location, and social contacts (Unpublished master’s thesis). Ming Chuan University, Taipei, Taiwan. https://hdl.handle.net/11296/epkanz

  • Chen, X. C. (2012). The effect of leisure activity participation on effectiveness of leisure activity, quality of life, and sense of happiness among the elderly of Taichung county evergreen academy (Unpublished master’s thesis). Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/a6bey3

  • Chen, Y. J. (2005). The research of the relationship among elderly's leisure motivation, leisure participation and leisure environmental preference (Unpublished master’s thesis). Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/vh7ez5

  • Cheng, C. C, & Lia, K. H. (2007). The study of social support, loneliness, leisure participation and life meaning of the elder people in elderly colleges in Taichung area. The Journal of Chaoyang University of Technology, 12, 217–254. https://doi.org/10.30108/JCUT.200709.0014

  • Cheng, H. W. (2015). The elderly leisure participation and constraint factors - A case study of elderly association Pingzhen district in Taoyuan city (Unpublished master’s thesis). Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/dsu4vd

  • Cheng, L. F. (2011). A study on the relationship between health cognitive and leisure activity participation for the seniors (Unpublished master’s thesis). Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/5jq3n5

  • Chi, T. E. (2008). Study on the senior citizens’ participation in recreational activities in Taichung county (Unpublished master’s thesis). National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/pr57x5

  • Chiang, C. K. (2015). Trends and context of leisure tourism of seniors - Nearly a decade as an example (Unpublished master’s thesis). Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/87r3dp

  • Chin, T. J. (2014). The influence of golden aged leisure participation, social support, leisure behavior, perceived health and health promoting lifestyle (Unpublished master’s thesis). Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/5qyhbh

  • Chuang, S. J. (2005). Leisure life in modern time-A humanistic perspective. Bulletin of Civic and Moral Education, 16, 19–36. https://doi.org/10.6231/CME.2005(16)02

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, S. Y. (2015). A study of active ageing behavior of the elderly - Leisure activity participation of Shung Tak Evergreen in Taoyuan city as an example (Unpublished master’s thesis). Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/85956u

  • Goll, J. C., Charlesworth, G., Scior, K., & Stott, J. (2015). Barriers to social participation among lonely older adults: The influence of social fears and identity. PLoS ONE, 10(2), e0116664. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, F. F. (1997). Relationships among motivations for social participation, participation behavior and participation satisfaction for the elderly (Unpublished master’s thesis). Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/7xyj88

  • Hu, H. M. (2015). Creating senior personal safety net. Taiwanese Gerontological Forum, 25, Retrieved from http://www.iog.ncku.edu.tw/riki/riki.php?id=TGF26&CID=1

  • Hu, H. M. (2017). Social support system. In C. C. Huang (Ed.),The New Introduction to Gerontology (pp. 7–1–7–16). Taichung, Taiwan: Wagner.

  • Huang, C. S. (2002). The contemporary issue in educational philosophy: The philosophy of education for older adults and its Implications. Bulletin of Educational Research, 48(3), 1–33. https://doi.org/10.6910/BER.200209_(48-3).0001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, F. S. (2011). Social theories of aging. In F. S. Huang & K. T. Yang (Eds.), Gerontology (pp. 101–126). Wunanbooks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hung, A. C. (2014). The relationship between leisure-time physical activity, social support from friend and perceived health status for older adults (Unpublished master’s thesis). National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/ms3258

  • Kao, C. H. (1995). A three-factor model of leisure benefits. Journal of Outdoor Recreation Study, 8(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.6130/JORS.1995.8(1)2(InChinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, L. W. (2015). The tourism of partner and the tourism with partner: The leisure tourism for senior (Unpublished master’s thesis). Shih Hsin University, Taipei, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/6t666g

  • Laslett, P. (1989). A fresh map of life: The emergence of the third age. London, England: Weidenfeld & Nicholson. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X00003871

  • Lee, J. Y. (2016). Research of seniors oversea leisure tourism motivation and constraint (Unpublished master’s thesis). Shih Hsin University, Taipei, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/6792yv

  • Liao, S. Y. (2011). The study for seniors on health needs of leisure services (Unpublished master’s thesis). Nan Kai University of Technology, Nantou County, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/9j4k4x

  • Lin, G. Y. (2008). The change of leisure participation among older people in Taiwan: Cause and Impact (Unpublished master’s thesis). National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/pmk7kg

  • Lin, H. Y. (2012). The correlation research on activities of daily living, participation in leisure activities and social events (Unpublished master’s thesis). Nan Kai University of Technology, Nantou County, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/2cqzqz

  • Lin, T. J., & Lee, S. C. (2008). A study on the leisure participation, leisure benefits and leisure satisfaction of the older adult in Nantou county. Journal of Sport and Recreation Management, 5(1), 35–56. https://doi.org/10.6214/JSRM.200806_5(1).0003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2014). Report of the senior citizen condition survey 102. Retrieved from http://www.mohw.gov.tw/CHT/DOS/Statistic.aspx?f_list_no=312&fod_list_no=3527

  • Ministry of the Interior. (2020a). Interior National Indicators. Retrieved from https://www.moi.gov.tw/stat/node.aspx?sn=6716

  • Ministry of the Interior. (2020b). Life Tables. Retrieved from https://www.moi.gov.tw/stat/english/node.aspx?sn=7316

  • Ministry of Labor. (2020). Labor Standards Act. Retrieved from https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=N0030001

  • Pan, C. H. (2016). Study on senior participate in leisure activities for a case of seniors service in Kernel of Wheat Foundation (Unpublished master’s thesis). National Taitung University, Taitung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/yy5n54

  • Pan, Y. S. (2012). The effects of leisure activities on the health status among the elderly in Taiwan (Unpublished master’s thesis). Asia University. (In Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Strain, L. A., Grabusic, C. C., Searle, M. S., & Dunn, N. J. (2002). Continuing and ceasing leisure activities in later life: A longitudinal study. The Gerontologist, 42, 217–223. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/42.2.217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su, W. S., Yen, C. C. & Sung, M. Y. (2013). The leisure of sociology of aging. New Taipei City: Wah Lee.

  • Tsai, Y. C., Lin, Z. E., & Gu, G. H. (2011). The analysis of the leisure sport participation, need and constraints for the middle-aged and old people-The community aged people in Neipu township, Pingtung as an example. Bulletin of Yung-Ta Institute of Technology and Commerce, 11(1),49–63. https://doi.org/10.30179/BYTITC.201106.0005

  • Tuckson, R. V. (2012). The doctor in the mirror. Canada: United HealthCare Services.

  • Wang, K. H. C., & Xu, H. L. (2012). A study of discovery the needs of travel service for senior. Journal of Gerontechnology and Service Management, 1(1), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.6283/JOCSG.2012.1.1.107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2020). Female life expectancy. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/gho/women_and_health/mortality/situation_trends_life_expectancy/en/

  • Wu, C. H. (2009). Aging and its impact on the participation in leisure activities among the elderly in Taiwan (Unpublished master’s thesis). Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11296/k7374p

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hsiao-Mei Hu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

Informed consent has been obtained from all respondents included in this study.

Ethical Treatment of Experimental Subjects (Animals and Humans)

No experimental treatment was conducted on either human or animal subjects in this study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hu, HM. Leisure Activity Demand of Older Adults: A Case Study. Ageing Int 47, 516–533 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-021-09432-y

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-021-09432-y

Keywords

Navigation