Current status and problems with travel, a regional recreational activity, among the elderly

Abstract

Objectives

 This study aimed to understand the current status of leisure activities among the elderly and identify the effects of and problems with travel as a regional recreational activity.

Methods

 We performed AND searches with keywords such as “the elderly at home” plus “leisure activities” and “the elderly at home” plus “travel” on Igaku Chuo Zasshi database and analyzed the search results.

Results

 The results revealed that the restoration of humanness was the final goal of recreation. We found that elderly attendees of tours did not aim to maintain or improve their physical functions, but rather they participated in the tours purely to enjoy meals, go sightseeing, and use them as opportunities to go out. For the elderly, travel was one of activities that made them feel that life was worth living.

Discussion

 It is thought that recreation in the elderly is important for restoring humanness and that it plays an important role in establishing new personal relationships among them. We believe that support should be provided to the elderly to connect with local volunteers, establish new personal relationships, and help them lead more fulfilling community lives through travel—one of the regional recreational activities.