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Final Thesis Apr. 13th.pdf (718.33 KB)

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Leisure and Social Continuity: The Secret to Successful Aging for Oldest-Old in Long-Term Care?

Bowes, Sarah
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2066-4598
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1491498057044941

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Education (MEd), Bowling Green State University, Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies /Leisure and Tourism.
The proportion of oldest-old in the United States, those 85 and over, is expanding more quickly than both the young-old (65-74) and the old-old (75-84). However, many scholars in the fields of Leisure and Gerontology continue to view old age as an umbrella term, lumping everyone over 65 in to the same category. However, it is the oldest-old who are the most likely to experience significant health problems and reside in long-term care (LTC). Thus, many oldest-old could potentially be facing multiple barriers to continued leisure and social participation. Given that there is ample research to support that there is a strong association between leisure and social involvement and successful aging, the current study examined how well one particular LTC community helps five residents above age 85 and two residents above age 80 remain active in leisure and social activity. This study also shed light on individual coping strategies participants use to maintain resilience during transitional periods in their lives, such as health decline, widowhood, and moving to a LTC community. Working within the framework of the continuity theory of successful aging, life histories were gathered from all seven participants during semi-structured interviews to provide further insight in to the formation and continuity of their hobbies, leisure repertoires, and social relationships. While a couple of participants described barriers to continued leisure and social involvement, all participants were found to have maintained continuity in many of their hobbies and in some ways, became more active in leisure and social involvement since their move to the LTC community. While one participant described being rejected by a grown child and two described fears of being a burden, all three have managed to maintain strong social support networks. Consistency in coping strategies, such as spirituality and self-reliance, was found to buffer the impact of family related stress, health decline, and moving to a LTC community.
Bob Lee, Dr. (Advisor)
Becky Liu, Dr. (Committee Member)
Hysungsuk Choo, Dr. (Committee Member)
101 p.
Gerontology
Continuity Theory; Oldest-Old; Leisure; Social Support; Successful Aging

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bowes, S. (2017). Leisure and Social Continuity: The Secret to Successful Aging for Oldest-Old in Long-Term Care? [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1491498057044941

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bowes, Sarah. Leisure and Social Continuity: The Secret to Successful Aging for Oldest-Old in Long-Term Care? 2017. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1491498057044941.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bowes, Sarah. "Leisure and Social Continuity: The Secret to Successful Aging for Oldest-Old in Long-Term Care?" Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1491498057044941

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.