Stumbo and Peterson (2004:9) argue that the participation in meaningful leisure activities
may lead to the improvement of elderly people’s health, well-being and quality of life.
Changes which are associated with old age, such as the increase in adverse health
conditions; however has a significant impact on leisure participation of the elderly (Austin
et al., 2006:49). For the purpose of this study, the following questions need to be
answered: a) Are physical, social, spiritual and cognitive leisure activities part of the
leisure profile of persons sixty years and older? b) Do structural, interpersonal and
intrapersonal constraints play a role in limiting the leisure participation of persons sixty
years and older? c) Does a relationship exist between participation in physical, social,
spiritual and cognitive leisure activities and perceived well-being of people sixty years and
older? d) Can a leisure activity paradigm be compiled to indicate the leisure participation
of persons sixty years and older? To answer these questions, this study focused on using
a phenomenological research design to enquire about the meaning of the leisure
phenomenon in elderly people’s lives (Fouché, 2005:270). This study was developed in
accordance with the mixed methodological approach referred to by De Vos (2005b:361)
as a combination of quantitative and qualitative research used in a single study. For the
purpose of this study, one hundred and ten elderly people (men and women), sixty years
and older and members of the Potchefstroom Service Centre for the Aged, participated.
An availability sample was used to identify the participants who completed the
questionnaire and participated in the focus group interview. Seventy two participants (60
females and 12 males) completed the questionnaire, whereby eight participants (5
females and 3 males) participated in the focus group interview.
According to the results, respondents 60-64 years old indicated that they participate more
in social, creative and cultural, and general leisure activities. Although 60% of these
respondents (60-64 years) experience low levels of health, 80% still participate in physical
leisure activities. The results suggested that these respondents (60-64 years) also
participate less in travelling and outdoor leisure activities than respondents 65-74 years
old and 75 years and older. Regarding respondents 65-74 years old, the results indicated
higher levels of participation in social leisure activities, followed by general leisure
activities. These respondents (65-74 years) participate more in travelling and outdoor
leisure activities than the other age groups (60-64; 75 and older). Compared to the
respondents 60-64 years, the leisure participation in creative and cultural and physical
activities of respondents 65-74 years is significantly lower, even if the results showed they
have a healthier health profile than respondents 60-64 years. The results showed that
respondents 75 years and older participate more in general leisure activities, followed by
social leisure activities and creative and cultural leisure activities. In comparison with
respondents 60-64 years, respondents 75 years and older participate more in travelling
and outdoor leisure activities. Although respondents 75 years and older, according to the
results, have a healthier health profile than respondents 60-64 years and 65-74 years,
participation in physical leisure activities was still very low. Regarding the relation
between the leisure profile and the different types of living arrangements, it showed that
respondents living in retirement villages participate more in social, general and physical
leisure activities whereas respondents living in their own homes, participate more in
general, social and creative and cultural leisure activities. However, respondents living
with their children or family, or in a communal home, participate more in social leisure
activities. In terms of the importance of leisure participation in elderly people’s life, the
results indicated that 60% respondents 60-64 years, acknowledge leisure participation as
very important in their lives, whereas 6% respondents 65-74 years and 75 years and older
(21%), indicated leisure participation as not important. According to the respondents’
health profile, in relation to living arrangements and gender, women respondents living in
retirement villages experience lower health levels than those living with their children or
family, or in communal homes as well as male respondents. The results indicated that
most of the respondents who experience average to low health levels, participate in social
leisure activities whereas those who participate in outdoor leisure activities experience
average health levels. In terms of happiness, well-being and quality of life, the male
respondents living in retirement villages experience higher levels of happiness, well-being
and quality of life compared to those living with children or family, or in communal homes.
Women respondents living in their own homes or with their children or family, or in
communal homes experience the highest levels of happiness, well-being and quality of
life. This study also suggests that elderly people’s leisure participation can be
programmed and planned by using a leisure activity pyramid. This leisure activity pyramid
place social activities at the foundation of the leisure program, from where general,
creative and cultural, physical, outdoor and travelling leisure activities can develop.
The results showed, elderly people have a need to experience leisure benefits; hence the
leisure benefits respondents 65-74 years old experience, includes interaction with others,
whereas respondents 75 years and older indicated that they experience personal growth
as a leisure benefit. Respondents (male and female) 65-74 years old indicated that
meeting other people was the biggest leisure benefit, whereas respondents 60-64 years
indicated that they participate in leisure activities to experience physical challenges while
respondents 75 years and older participate in leisure activities to experience relaxation. In
terms of the constraints which can limit participants’ leisure participation or exclude them
from it, the respondents experience financial shortages as the most important constraint.
The results showed that constraints are experienced differently between gender and age
groups. Hence, the male respondents 65-74 years old and female respondents 75 years
and older, indicated a shortage of time as the most important constraint, while male
respondents 75 years and older, as well as female respondents between 60 and 74 years,
indicated financial shortages as the most important constraint. According to the results, it
seemed that respondents 85 years and older experience time and security, economic and
structural, personal and programming as constraints. Respondents living in a flat on the
same premises as children or family, experience time and security as constraints in
contrast to those living with children or family, who experience economic and personal
constraints.
According to this study it is clear that old age and the provision of leisure services to older
people, is a very complex issue. In the light of this information it is necessary for tertiary
institutions to provide specialized training for recreation students, in the field of providing
leisure services to older people, to meet the complex leisure needs of the elderly. / Thesis (PhD (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/9453 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Tesnear, Sumari |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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