Leisure Activity, Life Satisfaction, and Perceived Health Status in Older Adults

This study sought to identify the leisure acticities of older adults and to determine if a relationship existed between life satisfaction and leisure activity and between perceived health status and leisure activity. Thirty-two men and women, who were at least 65 years of age and retired, were recruited from a geriatric assessment clinic located in a large, East Coast city and surveyed using three instruments, and Leisure Activities Inventory, the Life Satisfaction Index A, and the Perceived Health Status Scale. Subjects were engaged in a wide range of leisure activities. Those who were more satisfied with their life reported the greatest number of activities conducted at least weekly and more varied reason for leisure activity participation. There was no relationship between leisure activity participation adn perceived health status. Implications for counseling and teaching older adults about use of leisure time and benefits of leisure activity are discussed.