Leisure meanings and practices of elderly implications for well being

This qualitative study aimed to identify the meaning and importance of leisure and to understand the linkages between the conceptualization of leisure and subjective well-being. 60 purposely selected elderly participants (60 years and above) divided equally across gender and socioeconomic status (SES; lower and upper) were interviewed in depth individually. According to these participants, leisure is time spent with family and friends. The participants (upper SES) expressed leisure as time spent on their internal growth while some participants (lower SES) did not identify it as a separate period of the day. Women (across SES) used their role responsibilities and daily chores as opportunities for relaxation, fulfillment, and leisure. Overall, the concept of leisure was linked to carrying out their role responsibilities and findingfulfillment in everyday living. Taking care of family members came naturally, and with acceptance, most participants were satisfied in their life. The discussion revolved around gendered responses on citing cooking and caretaking as leisure activities and the role of acceptance in enhanced life satisfaction among individuals from low-resource contexts and fewer leisure options.