Sustainable Aging and Leisure Behaviors: Do Leisure Activities Matter in Aging Well?

Hyejin Yoon, Lesa Huber and Chulwon Kim
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Hyejin Yoon: Department of Hotel and Tourism, Baewha Women’s University, Seoul 03039, Korea
Lesa Huber: Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
Chulwon Kim: College of Hotel and Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: A substantial portion of the gerontological literature has been directed towards the relationship between leisure and aging, particularly with the healthy life of older adults. The concept of leisure conveys varied meanings to persons, including identifying the leisure itself, the activity’s frequency, and its value to the participant. With increased longevity, the concept of aging well and related terms (e.g., “active aging”, “successful aging”, “productive aging”, “positive aging”, “healthy aging”, and “sustainable aging”) have been emerging themes for academic fields related to gerontology, exercise promotion, health care, and leisure activities. Thus, the aging population and human leisure activities must be considered sustainable as sustainability is primarily human-centered. This study explores older adults’ perceptions of leisure and aging well and their leisure behavior at senior welfare centers using qualitative data collection and methodology. Findings suggest that four main themes emerge: unfamiliarity with the concept of leisure and leisure engagement; evolving perceptions of senior centers and leisure benefits; limited physical functioning as a major leisure constraint; perceptions of major factors for aging well. Implications for researchers and policymakers are discussed.

Keywords: aging well; leisure; sustainability; sustainable aging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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