The effects of recreation & leisure participation in older adults (55+)

Recreation and leisure programs play a vital role in the lives of older adults (55+). Research indicates that more active types of activity, in particular, are positively associated with higher health-related quality of life (Jenkins, Pienta, & Horgas, 2002). The purpose of this project was to examine the effects of recreation and leisure participation on older adults’ (55+) quality of life. Four out of the five participants were female, and one of the participants was male. The participants ranged in age from 61-79, the mean age was 65. Participants were recruited from local Community Centres in Vancouver and Coquitlam and were enrolled (or had previously been enrolled) in community recreation and leisure programs. Semi-structured, one-to-one, 30 minute interviews were conducted. Participants were asked a number of questions about participating in these programs, the effects they have experienced through participating, and their quality of life. The interviews were then transcribed verbatim, analyzed, and descriptively coded to organize data into categories based on my research question. Findings revealed that research participants’ experienced positive effects from participating in recreation and leisure programs, especially noticing increased positive emotions, social well-being, physical health, and psychological well-being, which contributed to an increase in participants’ quality of life. Key words: Community recreation, leisure, older adults, quality of life.