The Leisure Preferences, Problems, and Needs of the Elderly

Abstract

Public planning agencies have little data available concerning the leisure needs of the elderly population. The current study of 540 elderly persons shows a great deal of concentration in the leisure activities both most preferred and most participated in, with a large proportion of the sample tending to choose the same activities. A key finding of the study is that most leisure activities participated in and preferred by a large percentage of the elderly are indoor activities, with the outdoor activities most preferred and participated in tending to be non-resource specific in nature, such as walking, gardening etc. Another finding is that there are major differences in preferred leisure activities, and leisure needs, with respect to the variable of residence area. These findings are important considerations for resource planners, program specialists, and researchers in the fields of leisure and gerontology.