Patterns of Leisure and Physical Activities Among Older Adults

Patterns of and reasons for leisure and physical activity among older adults are more complex than existing research suggests. An exploratory field study used nine instruments in an interview battery to characterize these patterns and the attitudes and reasons older adults give for their activities. This article reports the patterns of leisure and physical activities of 119 older adults in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada and the reasons given for selecting these activities. Guidelines and recommendations are proposed that suggest the need for incorporating physical movement, thinking and feelings in both leisure and physical activity programs for older adults.     

Physical and Social Activities of Older Adults With Functional Limitations

This study examined the associations of physical and social activities with health status and functional disabilities (FDs) in a sample of Medicare beneficiaries who completed the 2004 National Long-Term Care Study (NLTCS) (N?=?3,225). Factors associated with the health of older Americans with functional limitations included older age, higher education, employment, absence of chronic illness, performance of physical activities, and friends’ visits. Older age, higher education, diabetes, heart disease, and the absence of all types of physical activities and friends’ visits were associated with FDs. It is recommended that physical and social activities be encouraged for seniors with disabilities.     

Ethnic and Class Variations in Promoting Social Activities Among Older Adults

Engagement in social activities impacts the health outcomes of older adults, especially as regards mortality and physical and cognitive disability. Participation and its benefits vary by socioeconomic gradient and ethnicity. This research aims to identify activities of interest to diverse older adults and factors that influence participation (barriers, motives, perceived benefits, and role expectations). We conducted five focus groups throughout Baltimore City with nonactive elders stratified by class, gender, and ethnicity. Activities, motives, and barriers varied across groups. Differences may exist in the challenges and facilitators for maintaining socially active lifestyles among different groups of older adults. Common barriers were found across the groups, in particular the absence of adequate transportation and financial resources, as well as health in the form of mobility difficulties. Nuanced differences among the groups described may help target interventions to particular groups as needed and create opportunities for engagement where extrinsic barriers might exist. Findings were disseminated to community partners to improve awareness of social factors in developing health-promoting strategies for active and meaningful roles for older adults.     

Rural Older Adults’ Perspectives of Activities to Support Cognitive Health

ABSTRACT

Existing cognitive health literature focuses predominately on understanding the pathology and clinical treatment of older adults with dementia rather than cognitive health promotion and preventative activities. In addition, most of the work in the area remains urban-centric with little focus on cognitive health in rural communities. This study examined rural seniors’ perspectives of activities that they identified as supporting their cognitive health.

Using community-based research and an ethnographic methodology, participant observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 older adults in rural Saskatchewan, Canada. Participants discussed a variety of activities that they viewed as supporting their cognitive health. In particular, cognitive health promotion was identified as being strongly linked to keeping one’s brain active, thinking positively, mingling with others, and managing daily affairs. This study’s findings suggest that there is a need to move beyond focusing solely on clinical interventions to including older adults’ perspectives of preventative activities and cognitive health promotion.     

Rhinitis in Older Adults

Rhinitis symptoms of rhinorrhea, congestion, sneezing, nasal/ocular pruritis, and postnasal drainage can significantly affect the quality of life for older adults. As the US population ages, it will be increasingly important for health-care providers to effectively diagnose and manage rhinitis. Rhinitis is categorized broadly into allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis. Environmental changes and avoidance measures are a primary means of intervention. In addition, there are several topical therapies (nasal sprays) that can be effective for symptom control.