Diversified leisure involvement pose various health benefits to the elderly population. However, some elderly are too focus on doing a particular type of activity during their leisure time such as religious activity. This study aims to explore factors that could possibly contribute to the higher involvement in religious activity among the Malay ethnic elderly in Malaysia. In depth interviews were conducted, involving a total of 20 elderly aged 60 years and above with stratification by background characteristics. Each interview was conducted for an average of 15 to 30 minutes. They were purposively selected from two health clinics located in two different districts in the state of Selangor, representing an urban and a rural area. Majority of the elderly interviewed perceived that by engaging in religious activities such as prayer and reciting the Holy Quran or old Islamic scripture gives them serenity or calmness. Additionally, they also felt that involvement in such activities is very synonymous with being old and therefore one should be actively involved in religious activities with increasing age. In view of the lack of diversity of leisure involvement among the elderly and the passive and solitary nature of some of the religious activities, the elderly should be made aware of the importance of participating in other types of leisure activities especially physical activities. Although, they gain spiritual and social benefits from involving in religious activities, they also need to perform other form of activities that can improve the physical health status.
Women and elderly are often linked to several disadvantages and constraints in many aspects of life. The scenario could be even worse for an elderly woman. Participating in leisure has proven to be beneficial for elderly in general. Yet little is known about the pattern of leisure and constraints faced by elderly women in order for them to pursue leisure activities. This study aims to explore the various leisure constraints faced by the elderly women. A total of 20 elderly women were involved in this study, which were selected purposively and also by snowballing technique. An in-depth interview was conducted with each respondent lasted approximately 15 to 30 minutes. The identified constraints were categorized into three main themes, which were structural, intrapersonal and interpersonal constraints. Among factors that had been identified were preoccupation with domestic affairs, the unavailability of appropriate space or area to perform desired leisure activities, lack or unavailability of transportation, safety issue, misperceptions that being old should focus on religious activity and becoming effortless, domestic activities are comparable to exercise and lacking of elderly people to perform certain activities together. In view of the modifiable nature of most of constraints faced by the elderly women to pursue leisure activities, necessary actions should be taken by the relevant authorities in tackling the constraints and at the same time developing a more active and healthy elderly women society. The right of the elderly women and women in general should be acknowledged, including their desire to actively involve in certain leisure activities. They should also appropriately educate on the importance of leisure and involvement in other type of leisure activities other than religious activities.
Leisure participation in old age is often a continuation of their participation at younger age. This study aims to explore the association between current and former leisure participation of the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 268 persons aged 60 years and above, purposively selected from eight health clinics in Selangor. Current leisure participation was measured using a validated Leisure Participation Questionnaire (LPQ), specific for Malaysian elderly. The LPQ consists of 25 activities, categorized into recreational (physical), cognitive, social and productive activity. Frequency of participation in each activity was measured on a 6-point scale. Leisure participation at younger age only involved their general participation in leisure. The most common daily leisure activities were having conversations while relaxing (78.7%) and watching television (74.6%), while the least were from playing golf (0.01±0.12) and performing musical instruments (0.04±0.36). More than half (64.9%) reported being actively involved in any leisure
activity at younger age. Results: The study found there was a significant association between former and current leisure participation, especially for cognitive (t=-2.45, p=0.015), social (t=-2.68, p=0.008) and productive (t=-2.89, p=0.004) activities. However, only productive activity involvement was predicted by their leisure participation while younger (B=1.304, p=0.027). Conclusion: The findings suggest the importance of considering active intervention programmes at younger age to ensure better leisure participation of the elderly, especially in recreational physical activity.
Leisure involvement is an essential element in the daily life of the elderly people. Little is known, however, about the perceived leisure constraints among them, especially among the increasing elderly population in Malaysia. This study aims to explore constraints perceived by the elderly that prevent them from actively involved in leisure. In depth interviews were conducted, involving a total of 20 elderly aged 60 years and above with stratification by background characteristics. Each interview was conducted for an average of 15 to 30 minutes and discontinued when a saturation point was achieved. They were purposively selected from two health clinics located in two different districts in the state of Selangor, representing an urban and a rural area. Elderly participation in leisure activities was constrained by many factors. These factors can be divided into individual, family and community factors such as increasing age and related physical deterioration , education level, health status and the existence of chronic illness, absence of family member or friends to perform the activity together and non-conducive environment. The constraints should be endorsed and acknowledged by the relevant agencies and authorities in order to facilitate effective implementation of related policies, strategies and programmes to improve the health of the elderly people. These include the provision of appropriate services and facilities to cater senior citizens from various health and demographic perspectives.
Ageing anxiety is commoner among women compared to men. However, little is known on the possible contributing factors towards the development of ageing related anxiety among Malaysian women. This study aimed to explore ageing anxiety among the middle-aged women in Malaysia in facing the ageing process. Series of 6 focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted involving a total of 36 women aged between 35 and 59 years old. Each FGD consisted of 5 to 7 respondents and was conducted for an average of 1 to 2 hours. The respondents were selected using the maximum variation sampling method focussing on five age categories, between 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54 and 55 to 59 years old. Representative from several residential areas in the area of Putrajaya Federal Territory and Seri Kembangan, Selangor were involved in the selection of respondents. The interviews revealed that, majority of the respondents were seriously thinking of the possible negative experiences associated with ageing and being old, but very few experiencing ageing anxiety. Three main themes that were identified to contribute to the ageing anxiety were issues related to caregiving at old age and fear of loneliness, the welfare and care of their children when they are old and eventually die and also physical changes that occurred with ageing process. These themes were not specifically associated with any particular age groups, marital or income status. However, the development of the ageing anxiety was found to be related to their personal experiences and observations from the surrounding community. The findings show that women in Malaysia are still emphasizing on the importance of traditional caregiving system, where elderly parents are looked after by the children or extended family members rather than living in formal institutions. Despite the important role of formal institutions in the care of elderly people in the future, it is still negatively perceived. With the shrinking of the size of nuclear family and massive involvement of women in employment sector, more elderly will be expected to reside in formal institutions in the near future. Relevant authorities should be made aware on the importance to maintain the quality of care in the formal institution for elderly, in order to tackle the negative perceptions.