Leisure and Aging: Theory and Practice

The number and percent of older people in developed countries continue to grow, thanks to medical advances and decreases in fertility and mortality rates. And that means that tomorrow’s recreation and leisure professionals will be more challenged than ever to meet the needs of an increasingly older culturally diverse population. Leisure and Aging: Theory and Practice provides students and professionals with a balanced perspective of current knowledge as it presents cutting-edge research from the fields of both gerontology and leisure studies. Written by authors from various disciplines who represent an international who’s-who in leisure and aging research, this text • explores theories in leisure and aging; • bridges the gap between research and application, arming professionals with tools to navigate diverse cultures; and • offers insight into delivery of leisure services in older adult communities and long-term care environments. Each chapter features learning objectives, study questions, case studies, exercises, and relevant readings. The book is supplemented by online ancillaries, including an instructor guide, test package, and a presentation package with photos, illustrations, and tables from the text. Together, the text and online ancillaries help students connect theories and practice as they prepare for future roles in their chosen fields. Leisure and Aging is presented in five sections. Part I introduces global perspectives on leisure and aging, while part II examines the relevance of leisure in an aging context. Part III explores the effects of aging on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being and health. Parts IV and V delve into the role of community in aging and leisure and long-term care and leisure. Written for undergraduate students, professors, and professionals in recreation, leisure, gerontology, and aging, Leisure and Aging provides a wealth of knowledge on various aspects of life for older people and the role of leisure in their lives. The text helps students think critically about a phase of life that seems remote from their own and provides perspective to their understanding of aging and leisure.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Setting the Stage Chapter 1. Global Perspectives on Leisure and Aging Richard D. MacNeil and David L. Gould Demography and Population Aging Global Aging: Current and Future Status Leisure and Quality of Life in Older Adulthood Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 2. The Influence of Leisure on Discourses of Aging Rylee A. Dionigi and Sean Horton Negative Aging Discourse Positive Aging Discourse Leisure as Resistance to Ageism Leisure as Reinforcement of Ageism Conclusion Learning Aids Part II. Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives on Leisure and Aging Chapter 3. The Relevance of Leisure in Theories of Aging Douglas A. Kleiber and M. Rebecca Genoe Leisure as a Context for Continuity and Change Psychological Theories of Aging Sociological Theories of Aging Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 4. Studying Leisure in the Context of Aging Bryan Smale and Jennifer Gillies Epistemological Perspectives Guiding Research The Role of Theory Two Broadly Defined Approaches to Research Quantitative Inquiry Qualitative Inquiry Roles and Responsibilities of the Researcher Doing Research Well Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 5. Leisure Across the Later Life Span Galit Nimrod and Megan C. Janke Life-Span Development Models Changes in Leisure Behavior as People Age Changes in Leisure Meanings as People Age Leisure and Later-Life Transitions Time Misuse in Later Life Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 6. Leisure and Diversity in Later Life: Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexual Orientation Steven E. Mock, Susan M. Shaw, Erica M. Hummel, and Carissa Bakker Critical Gerontology Ethnicity and Race Gender Sexual Orientation Conclusion Learning Aids Part III. Leisure and Healthy Aging Chapter 7. Leisure and Physical Well-Being Bevan C. Grant and Mary Ann Kluge Health Maintenance as a Benefit of Physical Leisure Constraints to Engaging in Physical Leisure Implications for Programming Integrating Leisure and Physical Activity Accessing the Meaning of Active Aging An Active Future Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 8. Leisure and the Psychological Well-Being and Health of Older Adults Roger C. Mannell and Ryan Snelgrove Leisure and Psychosocial Well-Being Leisure and the Cognitive Health of Older Adults Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 9. Leisure and Social and Spiritual Well-Being Paul Heintzman and Erin Patriquin Defining Key Concepts Aging, Leisure, and Social Well-Being Aging, Leisure, and Spiritual Well-Being Leisure-Spiritual Coping Model Conclusion Learning Aids Part IV. Community, Aging, and Leisure Chapter 10. The Role of Community in Encouraging Healthy Aging Among Older Adults Richard Gitelson and Julie Freelove-Charton Impact of Choice and Environment on Health Active Adult Communities Resources in Communities Without Age Restrictions Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 11. Tourism and Aging Ian Patterson and Shane Pegg Sociodemographics of Travel Meanings of Tourism Motivations to Travel Constraints to Travel Modes of Travel Temporary Communities Older Mobile Travelers Research on Snowbirds Adventure Tourism Educational Tourism Conclusion Learning Aids Part V. Leisure in Long-Term Care Chapter 12. Leisure in Long-Term Care Settings Sherry L. Dupuis, Colleen Whyte, and Jennifer Carson Predominant Culture Within Long-Term Care Settings Alternative Approaches to Care in Long-Term Care Settings Quality of Life Through Leisure in Long-Term Care Settings Reflection and Practice Conclusion Learning Aids Chapter 13. Bridging Community and Long-Term Care Settings Elaine Wiersma and Stephanie Chesser Definition of Concepts Transition From Community Settings to Long-Term Care Settings Concepts of Community in Long-Term Care Settings Creating Community in Practice Conclusion Learning Aids

About the Author :
Heather J. Gibson, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of tourism, recreation, and sport management at the University of Florida and an associate director of the Center for Tourism Research and Development. She graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in the UK with a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a specialization in sport sociology. This focus on the sociology of sport and leisure led her to the University of Connecticut, where she earned her master’s and PhD and was introduced to tourism as a field of study. Currently, Dr. Gibson teaches classes in leisure theory, tourism, and research methods. She also leads study abroad programs to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. She was selected as the Distinguished International Educator for her college in 2004 and 2010. Her research interests include leisure and tourism in later life, female travelers, sport tourism with a particular focus on sport-related travel in later life and small-scale events, and perceived risk in travel. Dr. Gibson has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles in scholarly journals, and she edited the top-selling book Sport Tourism: Concepts and Theories. She is an associate editor for Leisure Sciences; North American regional editor for Leisure Studies; and an editorial board member for the Journal of Sport Management, Journal of Sport and Tourism, and World Leisure Journal. She is ad hoc reviewer for countless journals, including the Journal of Leisure Research, Annals of Tourism Research, and Tourism Management. Jerome F. Singleton, PhD, CTRS is a professor in the recreation and leisure studies department in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University. He is also cross-appointed to the Schools of Nursing, Sociology and Anthropology, and Business Administration at Dalhousie. Dr. Singleton’s research is focused on leisure and aging. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in recreation from the University of Waterloo and then completed his master’s of science degree in recreation at Pennsylvania State University and his PhD in leisure studies at the University of Maryland. He also completed the academic requirements for a doctorate certificate in gerontology at the University of Maryland. Currently Dr. Singleton teaches courses in the area of therapeutic recreation and aging, therapeutic recreation techniques, and introduction to recreation and leisure and aging at Dalhousie University. He was made a fellow of the World Demographic Association in 2006 and was named Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association Professional of the Year in 2007. He was recognized by the Recreation and Leisure Studies program at the University of Waterloo as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2008 and is also the founding member of the Leisure and Aging Research Group, which was established in 2008. Dr. Singleton received the Dr. Gonzaga da Gama Memorial Award from the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association in 2011 and was made a fellow of the Academy of Leisure Science by the Society of Parks and Recreation educators in 2011. Dr. Singleton is currently a research associate with the Dalhousie European Center of Excellence. Dr. Singleton has advised 25 graduate students who have investigated questions related to leisure and aging and has published over 80 journal articles during his career and made presentations locally, nationally, and internationally. He has served on the editorial boards for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal; American Therapeutic Recreation Annual; Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation; and the Journal of Recreation and Society in Africa, Asia and Latin America. He has also reviewed articles for Loisir, Leisure Sciences, and Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation.