Restorative activities of community-dwelling elders

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Environmental Psychology
• Community Health

Background:

• Limited research exists on restorative activities for community-dwelling elders.
• Restorative activities, such as nature observation, are linked to improved cognition and mental well-being.
• Older adults require accessible methods to enhance daily functioning and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize restorative activities engaged in by community-dwelling elders.
• To understand elders' perceptions of activities that promote restoration and well-being.
• To inform the development of interventions supporting older adults' daily functioning.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Semi-structured interviews with 30 community-dwelling elders (ages 65-92).
• Content analysis of interview themes to identify restorative activity categories.

Main Results:

• Twelve categories of restorative activities were identified: creative outlets, altruism, nature, social connections, cognitive challenges, physical activity, reading, family connections, spirituality and reflection, cultural activities, travel, and other.
• Nature observation, social connections, and cognitive challenges were frequently perceived as restorative.
• Elders reported benefits including improved concentration, cognitive functioning, mental energy, peacefulness, and refreshment.

Conclusions:

• Community-dwelling elders utilize a wide range of activities for restoration and well-being.
• Findings highlight the importance of diverse restorative activities for older adults' optimal functioning.
• Further research with diverse populations is recommended to guide restorative intervention development.