reflection paper
Minhat, S., Rahmah, A., and Khadijah S.(2013). Continuity Theory of Ageing and Leisure Participation among Elderly Attending Selected Health Clinics in Selangor. The International Medical Journal of Malysia. [Online] Volume 12(2), p.51–58, Available at: http://iiumedic.net/imjm/v1/download/Volume%2012%20No%202/Vol12No2%20Pa ge%2051-58.pdf [Accessed 19,February 2018].
The article is sets out to analyze the relationship of leisure activities between young and old age among elderly. Aging is slowly becoming one of the forces to reckon in the modern generation with the elderly expected to triple in the 60 years or so. This has therefore led to shift of focus towards the elderly people of the society in order to ensure the ageing population remains active and successful in the beckoning years. In order to understand this, the gerontologist took initiative in analyzing the leisure aspect of their social life to comprehend it benefits to the ageing population in their twilight years. This is in an effort to explain the general belief that leisure enthusiast people are more likely to experience higher life satisfaction levels and better quality life. The article seeks to test the activity continuity pattern of the elderly with what they used to do in their younger years. In doing so, the research sampled elderly people aged 60 years and older and observed the patterns of activities, thought, and habits among other adaptation strategies of ageing.
Life is complex as is ageing and therefore the idea of analyzing leisure to explain most aspect of life for the elderly is wanting (Agahi, Ahacic, and Parker, 2006). Life can follow diverse trajectories as the lifespan assembly changes dictates. Characteristics an elder’s life varies depending on the bio-psycho-social variables of the elderly and therefore development is not only limited to ageing but also the whole package of life (Utz, Carr, Nesse, and Wortman, 2002). Satisfaction among the elderly is a less common theme as the individuals have concerns ranging from psychological issues, mortality for instance, and the issues of financial stability, appearance and social roles. Illness, aging-related changes, incapacity and adjustment to aging challenges limit life satisfaction deeply as consciousness of aging kicks in and thus limiting future orientation.
The research was conducted on hospitalized elderly people with 335 people screened by Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale 268 passing the threshold level of inclusion. The test group was served with pretested questionnaires with options of ‘Yes or No’ answers. However, this kind of questions limits an individual’s response as it does underscore the degree of agreeableness. Although much of this is due to the kind of statistical tool used. The data collection method allowed the individual to state the frequency of the performed activities (Agahi, Ahacic, and Parker, 2006). The options of leisure analysis every day, almost every day, once a week and the sort lack merit on some grounds. Sometimes these activities can be concentrated on certain periods.
The duration of research is questionable to pass a conclusion. If research is to monitor continuity of certain aspects of people’s life, then the observation period should have been higher, say 6 months, a year or two. A test retest would also have been convenient to give the results credibility and reliability. Increasing the duration of research can give substantial variation in individual activities. Besides, the type of research method has a limitation on the control group as a requirement of increasing the duration of research is not possible considering during that period individual under observation may have been released from hospital (Von Humbold, 2016).
The majority of the sampled individuals were Islamic and only with basic education of primary level. These two factors can tilt the findings, as its diversity is limited. For instance, educational awareness can greatly influence the indulgence in physical activities (Pushkar et al,2010). The religion plays a major factor in the leisure activities an individual participates in as it can influence or bar one from indulging in certain activities. The outcome of the statistical tools indicates that there is little relation between recreational physical activity participation with leisure activities (Von Humbold, 2016).
Marital status of an individual can influence the outcome especially the social participation considering majority of individual were married. The research found out that individuals engaging in conversations while relaxing being 78.7% while the one of spending time with grandchildren being 42.5%. However, widowhood can influence the outcome of social participation, as it is higher than for the married. Widowhood involves lose of numerous social roles tied to having a spouse or being married (Utz, Carr, Nesse, and Wortman, 2002). There should have been a format that tests married individuals on one hand, the widowed and the combination of both as social involvements rely on marital status. The married individuals may not need additional social support as will the widow(er)s because they enjoy spousal intimacy (Utz, Carr, Nesse, and Wortman, 2002). Intra-individual or inter-individual level changes can mask individual fluctuation and thus affecting the outcome.
The research did its research on a hospital setting an environment within which the test samples are enclosed or on isolation from the society. This can influence the outcome as it has its limitations on the individuals. Sickness can have an impact on the person in giving a true idea of what they used to do prior old age. This is because ageing and sickness can initiate emotional distraught in the sampled group (Utz, Carr, Nesse, and Wortman, 2002). Evidence indicates low participation level on physical activities, as they prefer passive and sedimentary activities. Sickness makes people accept a more resigned role as is reflected on high social activity. Leisure activities are directly related with health factors as for instance, person may love cycling but since physically health does not accommodate it, then that person may resort to other activities (Von Humbold, 2016).
The research was conducted on different hospital settings but in Malaysia where literacy levels are relatively high. This is attributable to high levels of elderly people engaging in book reading. However, socioeconomic factors are also diverse as the difference in income levels indicate (Von Humbold, 2016). The income level of the most individuals under study was very little with the majority having none at all (Pushkar et al,2010). Income influences the nature of leisure activities that individuals engage in. It is evidenced that individuals who engage in golf activities was little. Financial constraints limit individuals on the kind and nature of leisure activities they engage in. This force the individuals to choose alternative leisure activities that are coherent with their status.
Although the research has its shortcoming, the result are in tandem with the continuity theory. Leisure activities in old age is to extent is reminiscent the direct relationship of the activities do at young age (Agahi, Ahacic, and Parker, 2006). It is good to understand leisure activities as they help to initiate programs that promote healthy ageing society. These programs improve leisure participation, quality of life and life satisfaction.
Reference
i. Utz, R., Carr, D., Nesse, R., and Wortman, C. (2002) The Effect of Widowhood on Older Adults' Social Participation: An Evaluation of Activity, Disengagement, and Continuity Theories, The Gerontologist, [online] Volume 42(4), p.522–533, Available at: https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/42/4/522/686616 [Accessed 19,February 2018].
ii. Agahi, N., Ahacic, K., and Parker, M.,(2006) Continuity of Leisure Participation From Middle Age to Old Age, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, [online] Volume 61(6), p. S340–S346, Available at: https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/61/6/S340/650274 [Accessed 19,February 2018].
iii. Pushkar, D., Chaikelson, J., Conway, M., Etezadi, J., Giannopoulus, C., Li, K., and Wrosch, C. (2010) Testing Continuity and Activity Variables as Predictors of Positive and Negative Affect in Retirement, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 65B(1) p. 42–49, Available at: https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/65B/1/42/543488 [Accessed 19,February 2018].
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v. VON HUMBOLDT, S. (2016). Conceptual and Methodological Issues on the Adjustment to Aging: Perspectives on Aging Well. Dordrecht, Springer Netherlands. http://ezproxy.uniandes.edu.co:8080/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7576-2.
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