OLDER WOMEN IN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES - PERCEPTIONS OF RECREATION ANDLEISURE

Seven focus groups were conducted to examine leisure perceptions of 44 Angle women, age 64 and older, living in retirement communities. Part icipants reported extensive involvement in numerous activities through out their lives. Their comprehension of recreation and leisure mirrore d many of the traditional definitions. Recreation was viewed as refres hment, renewal, and reward for work. Some described feelings of guilt when idle. Others characterized recreation as activity requiring effor t. Overall, the women believed that recreation was a positive experien ce; Leisure was perceived as freedom from purpose and demands. Most al so perceived leisure to be activity and positive. The discerning diffe rence between recreation and leisure was that leisure was without rule s, structure, or effort. Activity participation was essential to well- being. Focus groups were found to be useful in facilitating discussion of recreation and leisure with this study group. A composite term, en joyable activities, shows potential for helping older adults identify and expand their descriptions of recreation and leisure experiences.