Late-Life and Earlier Participation in Leisure Activities: Their Importance for Survival Among Older Persons

• Is activity participation in old age important for survival independent of one's earlier history of participation? A nationally representative sample of 457 older persons was followed for 25 years with data from the Level-of-Living Survey and the SWEOLD study. Cox regressions showed that regardless of earlier activities and health, late-life leisure engagement was associated with enhanced survival, especially among men. Among women, earlier activities (study groups) also seem important, perhaps by providing social networks. Results suggest that it is worthwhile to encourage elderly people to participate in leisure activities and to facilitate their participation in the community even at high ages.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

leisure activities

longitudinal study

mortality

aged

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)