1. The Leisure Experience
- Related Issues -
TRMT 392 – Special Topics: Seniors
Dave Robinson
Tiffany Moore
June 7, 2010

2. Abstract
• Much research has concluded that leisure
activities are essential for maintaining good
health in all phases of life.
• Seniors leisure is becoming an industry in an of
itself.
• Not all programmes dedicated to seniors are
successful.
• What aspects contribute to positive leisure
experiences?
• Why is it important??

3. Benefits of Leisure
Remembering the benefits of leisure is a good
step toward providing good leisure
experiences.
Benefits include:
• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional
Keeping the body healthy, the mind sharp,
and the spirit young

4. Key Points of Issue
In providing leisure services, some
considerations should be made in order to
provide positive experiences:
ULYS EAN LIVING
S
– Motivations
– Needs GROWTH SOCIAL
ADVENTURE
FUN
– Barriers EXCITEMENT OPTIMISTIC
POSITIVE ENJOYABLE
LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX!
*Keep the focus on the PARTICIPANT! *

5. Motivations
Motivations: Why people do what they do
– Enjoyment
– Social interaction
– Develop a skill
– Provide service to others
– Reminder of younger days
Activities should be based on participants’
motivators and personal enjoyment.

6. Needs
• Needs are similar to motivators, but have a
deeper meaning to the individual.
• Examples of needs are:
– Need to feel accepted / included (The motivator
here is social interaction)
– Need to contribute / be of use (The motivator
here is service to others)
• Leisure professionals should be aware that
support of a motivator does not always meet
the need of a participant.

7. Barriers to Inclusion
• Potential barriers can include factors such as:
– Income
– Transportation
– Physical / mental ability to participate
– Perceptions of activity
– Atmosphere / environmental conditions
– Generational views of work / play
– Family support
• "Leisure professionals should work with participants to
identify and overcome barriers to successful aging and
thereby enhance Ulyssean Living" (McGuire, Boyd,
Tedrick, 2009).

8. Personal Meaning
- The concept of leisure is deeply
specific to each individual. What is
relaxing and enjoyable for one person can be
stressful and rejected by another.
- It is essential that individuals are supported and
encouraged to find leisure activities that are
meaningful to them.
- Attaching meaning to an activity may contribute to
an individual finding a new purpose in life.

9. Summary
Good leisure experiences
contribute to the physical,
mental and emotional well-being
of anybody, regardless of their age. As people
age, their motivations and needs change and
new challenges emerge and can become barriers
to participating in leisure activities. These issues
need to be considered when planning leisure
programs for seniors and encouraging people to
participate.

10. Just for Fun
Bob and Milly were lying in bed one night. Bob was falling
asleep but Milly was in a romantic mood and wanted to talk.
She said, "You used to hold my hand when we were courting.“
Wearily Bob reached across, held her hand for a second, and
rolled over to try to fall asleep.
A few moments later she said, "Then you used to kiss me."
Mildly irritated, he leaned across, gave her a peck on the
cheek and settled back down to sleep.
Thirty seconds later she said, "Then you used to bite my neck.
Angrily, he threw back the bed clothes and got out of bed.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To the bathroom to get my teeth," he replied.

11. References
Academy of Leisure Sciences: White Paper #7: The Benefits of Leisure. (n.d.). Academy of Leisure
Sciences home page. Retrieved June 4, 2010, from
http://www.academyofleisuresciences.org/alswp7.html
Mcguire, F. A. (2004). Leisure and Aging Ulyssean Living in Later Life (3 ed.). Champaign, IL:
Sagamore.
Programming For Older Adults: An Innovative Technique - Research and Read Books, Journals,
Articles at Questia Online Library. (n.d.). Questia Online Library. Retrieved June 4, 2010, from
http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=MN1TLTqnFtpTkPBK16csBvQWF5Gs0n
xMBTx7Lxd6y2yLPT2cGJ30!1446720761!-1754635462?docId=5002195928
World Leisure Organization: Later Life. (n.d.). World Leisure Organization. Retrieved June 4, 2010,
from http://www.worldleisure.org/about/interest_groups/later_life.php