activities and lifestyle patterns of older adults lesa lorenzen huber indiana university

Activities and Activities and Lifestyle Patterns of Lifestyle Patterns of

Older AdultsOlder Adults

Lesa Lorenzen HuberLesa Lorenzen HuberIndiana UniversityIndiana University

Introduction Introduction

Activities and lifestyle provide the Activities and lifestyle provide the ebb and flow of life. In this session ebb and flow of life. In this session we will:we will:

explore current patterns of activities explore current patterns of activities and lifestyle in later lifeand lifestyle in later life

consider future trends: what activities consider future trends: what activities are the boomers likely to participate in?are the boomers likely to participate in?

consider the implications for the effects consider the implications for the effects of air pollution on the health of older of air pollution on the health of older adults.adults.

What are the kinds of activities What are the kinds of activities people do? people do?

Activities can be categorized as core Activities can be categorized as core activities or balance activitiesactivities or balance activities

Core activities tend to persist Core activities tend to persist throughout life (e.g. time with family, throughout life (e.g. time with family, personal care, reading)personal care, reading)

Balance activities are related more to Balance activities are related more to personal identity, life personal identity, life course stages, and roles course stages, and roles (e.g. outdoor recreation, (e.g. outdoor recreation, travel, and sports) travel, and sports)

What are the kinds of activities What are the kinds of activities people do? people do?

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) categorizes activities as Aging (BLSA) categorizes activities as obligatory, committed, or discretionary obligatory, committed, or discretionary activitiesactivities

Obligatory: personal care, sleep, etc. Obligatory: personal care, sleep, etc. Committed: paid work, Committed: paid work,

housework, etc. housework, etc. Discretionary: Discretionary:

socializing, hobbies, etc. socializing, hobbies, etc.

BLSA: Changes in Obligatory BLSA: Changes in Obligatory ActivitiesActivities

BLSA: Changes in Committed BLSA: Changes in Committed ActivitiesActivities

BLSA: Changes in Discretionary BLSA: Changes in Discretionary ActivitiesActivities

Legend of SymbolsLegend of SymbolsSlides 8-12Slides 8-12

1960’s men (no data for women)1960’s men (no data for women)

1970s men1970s men

1970s women1970s women

1980s men1980s men


1990s men1990s men


BLSA: Changes in Paid Work, BLSA: Changes in Paid Work, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s

BLSA: Changes in Housework BLSA: Changes in Housework Work, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’sWork, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s

BLSA: Changes in Socializing, BLSA: Changes in Socializing, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s

BLSA: Changes in Personal BLSA: Changes in Personal Care, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’sCare, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s

Findings from National Time Findings from National Time Studies, 60’s, 70’s and 90’sStudies, 60’s, 70’s and 90’s

Decreasing work time for paid Decreasing work time for paid employees overall but increasing work employees overall but increasing work time for womentime for women

Decreasing family care by womenDecreasing family care by women Increasing family care by menIncreasing family care by men Sharp increases in total leisure (mass Sharp increases in total leisure (mass

media, adult education, recreation)media, adult education, recreation) Decreases in some forms of leisure Decreases in some forms of leisure

(visiting and other informal social life)(visiting and other informal social life)

Summary of BLSA FindingsSummary of BLSA Findings

Older adults spend the most time on Older adults spend the most time on obligatory and passive leisure obligatory and passive leisure

They spend the least time on They spend the least time on committed activities and active committed activities and active leisure. leisure.

Time spent on paid work has Time spent on paid work has increased for women, while time increased for women, while time spent on housework has decreasedspent on housework has decreased

Men have decreased time spent on Men have decreased time spent on paid work and increased time spent paid work and increased time spent on houseworkon housework

Activity Participation Findings Activity Participation Findings From BLSA Since 1996From BLSA Since 1996

Increase in medium-high intensity Increase in medium-high intensity leisure activity participation for men, leisure activity participation for men, no change for women. no change for women.

No change in moderate intensity No change in moderate intensity activity participation for men or womenactivity participation for men or women

Decrease in number of Decrease in number of

sedentary men, no sedentary men, no

change for womenchange for women

What explains the changes in What explains the changes in activity participation as people activity participation as people

age?age? People generally reduce the number People generally reduce the number

of activities they engage in and the of activities they engage in and the amount of time they spend on each amount of time they spend on each activity.activity.

Carstensen defines this narrowing as Carstensen defines this narrowing as increasing increasing selectivity selectivity of activities of activities that are found to be meaningful, that are found to be meaningful, rather than seeing this change as rather than seeing this change as disengagement from disengagement from society. society.

Activities Americans “Really Love” To Do, Activities Americans “Really Love” To Do, 01-0201-02

(2002)(2002) ChangeChangeSpending time with familySpending time with family 56%56% -7%-7%

Making loveMaking love 48%48% -7%-7%

Spending romantic Spending romantic eveningevening

45%45% -8%-8%

Socializing with friendsSocializing with friends 38%38% -8%-8%

ReadingReading 32%32% -4%-4%

Exercise or play sportsExercise or play sports 19%19% -7%-7%

Play with petsPlay with pets 25%25% -3%-3%

Religious or spiritualReligious or spiritual 24%24% -6%-6%

Cultural or educationalCultural or educational 20%20% -2%-2%

Watch televisionWatch television 17%17% +3%+3%

Volunteer workVolunteer work 13%13% -3%-3%

AARP 2002 Study of “Funstyles” of Adults

Frequency of Activities, 01-02Frequency of Activities, 01-02(2002)(2002) ChangeChange

Spend time with familySpend time with family 81%81% +4%+4%

Socialize with friendsSocialize with friends 61%61% +3%+3%

ReadRead 57%57% -1%-1%

Watch televisionWatch television 56%56% +3%+3%

Spend time on hobbiesSpend time on hobbies 42%42% +2%+2%

Play with petsPlay with pets 42%42% -3%-3%

Religious or spiritualReligious or spiritual 41%41% -5%-5%

Cultural or educationalCultural or educational 40%40% +1%+1%

Exercise or play sportsExercise or play sports 35%35% -8%-8%

Spending romantic eveningSpending romantic evening 33%33% 0%0%

Making loveMaking love 32%32% -4%-4%

Volunteer workVolunteer work 20%20% +1%+1%

AARP 2002 Study of “Funstyles” of Adults

Summary: AARP 2002 Study of Summary: AARP 2002 Study of “Funstyles” of Adults“Funstyles” of Adults

Most of adults’ discretionary time is Most of adults’ discretionary time is spent at or near homespent at or near home

Most activities are low intensityMost activities are low intensity The relative order and priorities of The relative order and priorities of

what Americans consider “fun” has what Americans consider “fun” has not changed from 01-02not changed from 01-02

Some changes from 01-02 Some changes from 01-02 may be due to “seasonality” may be due to “seasonality” and slight malaise from and slight malaise from September 11.September 11.

Another explanation for the Another explanation for the changes in activity changes in activity

participation as people ageparticipation as people age

A Continuum of Expressive A Continuum of Expressive Involvement IntensityInvolvement Intensity

1.1. Find the last page of your handoutsFind the last page of your handouts

2.2. Identify your age cohort at the top of the Identify your age cohort at the top of the pagepage

3.3. Rank the three things that you do Rank the three things that you do mostmost oftenoften

4.4. Rank the three things that you do Rank the three things that you do leastleast oftenoften

5.5. Compare rankings with two people near youCompare rankings with two people near you

Gordon, Gaitz, and Scott: Leisure Gordon, Gaitz, and Scott: Leisure participation as a function of participation as a function of increased age, adults age 20-94increased age, adults age 20-94ActivityActivity MalesMales FemalesFemales

Dancing and drinkingDancing and drinking -.77-.77 -.75-.75

Sports and ExerciseSports and Exercise -.56-.56 -.54-.54

Outdoor ActivitiesOutdoor Activities -.43-.43 -.53-.53

TravelTravel -.38-.38 -.37-.37

TV ViewingTV Viewing -.17-.17 -.19-.19

EntertainingEntertaining -.17-.17 -.06-.06

Home EmbellishmentHome Embellishment +.03+.03 -.01-.01

CookingCooking +.59+.59 -.25-.25

Solitary ActivitiesSolitary Activities +.26+.26 +.40+.40

Summary: Gordon, Gaitz, and Summary: Gordon, Gaitz, and Scott: Leisure participation as Scott: Leisure participation as

a function of increased agea function of increased age There is a decrease in activities that There is a decrease in activities that

are outside the home are outside the home There is a decrease in activities that There is a decrease in activities that

are physically demanding. are physically demanding.

Summary: Activity and Summary: Activity and Lifestyle Patterns of Older Lifestyle Patterns of Older

AdultsAdults Most changes in activities with age are Most changes in activities with age are

gradual. There is increasing selectivity of gradual. There is increasing selectivity of most meaningful activities. most meaningful activities.

Older people are more likely to be involved Older people are more likely to be involved in sedentary activities than younger in sedentary activities than younger people. (e.g. TV, visiting, reading)people. (e.g. TV, visiting, reading)

Older people spend more time on all Older people spend more time on all activities of daily living than younger activities of daily living than younger people. (e.g. sleep, rest, eating, shopping, people. (e.g. sleep, rest, eating, shopping, health care)health care)


AdultsAdultsChanges in activities with ageChanges in activities with age Decrease in activities that are highly Decrease in activities that are highly

active, external to the home, and active, external to the home, and physically demandingphysically demanding

Increase in home-centered sociability Increase in home-centered sociability and media-based symbolic and media-based symbolic interactioninteraction


AdultsAdultsGender affects activity patterns and lifestyle. Gender affects activity patterns and lifestyle. Men do more household and yard Men do more household and yard

maintenance, and are more likely to work maintenance, and are more likely to work outside the homeoutside the home

Men increase participation in home-based Men increase participation in home-based activities with increasing ageactivities with increasing age

Women do more housework, child care, Women do more housework, child care, volunteer work, and participate in more volunteer work, and participate in more voluntary associationsvoluntary associations

Women increase participation in Women increase participation in solitary activitiessolitary activities


AdultsAdultsActivity and lifestyle patterns are affected Activity and lifestyle patterns are affected

by racial and ethnic statusby racial and ethnic status African Americans are more likely to be African Americans are more likely to be

involved in church related activities, but less involved in church related activities, but less likely to be involved in other activities.likely to be involved in other activities.

Hispanic and Italian elders are more likely to Hispanic and Italian elders are more likely to be involved in family-related activities than be involved in family-related activities than English or Scandinavians. English or Scandinavians.

Today’s elders of color have a experienced a Today’s elders of color have a experienced a lifetime of discrimination and may perceive lifetime of discrimination and may perceive barriers to participation in many leisure barriers to participation in many leisure activitiesactivities


AdultsAdultsActivity and lifestyle patterns are affected Activity and lifestyle patterns are affected

by socioeconomic statusby socioeconomic status Higher income people are more likely to Higher income people are more likely to

be involved in a wider range of be involved in a wider range of activities.activities.

Higher and middle income people are Higher and middle income people are more likely to be involved in sports, more likely to be involved in sports, reading, clubs, and gardening.reading, clubs, and gardening.

Lower income people are more inclined Lower income people are more inclined to visiting with family and friends, to visiting with family and friends, crafts, and television. crafts, and television.


AdultsAdultsActivity and lifestyle patterns are affected by Activity and lifestyle patterns are affected by

socioeconomic status (continued)socioeconomic status (continued) Middle-class more community orientedMiddle-class more community oriented Working and lower class more home centeredWorking and lower class more home centered Socioeconomic differences in activity Socioeconomic differences in activity

participation are mostly due to the cost of participation are mostly due to the cost of pursuing the activity, not socioeconomic pursuing the activity, not socioeconomic differences. differences.

Reduction in income in later life Reduction in income in later life

leads to barriers in community leads to barriers in community

involvementinvolvement


AdultsAdultsChanges in leisure are affected by health Changes in leisure are affected by health

and mobility. The following activities show and mobility. The following activities show decreases in participation:decreases in participation:

ClubsClubs Church activitiesChurch activities LibrariesLibraries RestaurantsRestaurants ParksParks Recreation CentersRecreation Centers Sporting EventsSporting Events VisitingVisiting

Future Trends: Older adults are Future Trends: Older adults are increasingly better educatedincreasingly better educated

Future Trends: (Most) Older Future Trends: (Most) Older adults are increasingly better adults are increasingly better

financially preparedfinancially prepared

Preparation for Retirement, Preparation for Retirement, 20012001

Differences Based on Racial/Ethnic StatusDifferences Based on Racial/Ethnic Status

Expected Expected RetiremeRetirement Agent Age

Currently Currently SavingSaving

Have Have CalculateCalculated d RetiremeRetirement Needsnt Needs

African African AmericanAmerican

6464 49%49% 32%32%

HispanicHispanic 6363 44%44% 32%32%

Asian Asian AmericanAmerican

6565 64%64% 48%48%

Projected Pension Incomes , 2001Projected Pension Incomes , 2001Differences Based on Differences Based on Marital Status, Race, Marital Status, Race, and Genderand Gender

projecteprojected d pension pension incomeincome

% of similar % of similar White men’s White men’s incomeincome

Married White menMarried White men $12,638$12,638 100%100%

Married White womenMarried White women $11,321$11,321 90%90%

Married Black menMarried Black men $10,119$10,119 80%80%

Married Black womenMarried Black women $10,268$10,268 81%81%

Married Hispanic menMarried Hispanic men $4,415$4,415 35%35%

Married Hispanic womenMarried Hispanic women $5,204$5,204 41%41%

Unmarried White menUnmarried White men $8,670$8,670 100%100%

Unmarried White womenUnmarried White women $3,825$3,825 44%44%

Unmarried Black menUnmarried Black men $3,341$3,341 39%39%

Unmarried Black womenUnmarried Black women $4,228$4,228 49%49%

Unmarried Hispanic menUnmarried Hispanic men $3,314$3,314 38%38%

Future Trends: Older adults are Future Trends: Older adults are in increasingly better healthin increasingly better health

Future Trends: Aging in Future Trends: Aging in PlacePlace

““Aging in Place” will become even more Aging in Place” will become even more viable than today, with technologies viable than today, with technologies making homes “smarter.”making homes “smarter.”

Smart homes may be limited to those Smart homes may be limited to those that can afford it. that can afford it.

Those that are financially able to buy Those that are financially able to buy LTC insurance will have more lifestyle LTC insurance will have more lifestyle options.options.

Those with limited financial resources Those with limited financial resources will face shrinking options available will face shrinking options available through Medicaid.through Medicaid.

There may be an ever-increasing gap in There may be an ever-increasing gap in lifestyles between those with and lifestyles between those with and without financial resourceswithout financial resources

Future Trends: MigrationFuture Trends: Migration

Larger numbers of older adults will live in Larger numbers of older adults will live in suburbs, fewer in central citiessuburbs, fewer in central cities

Services will continue to re-locate to the Services will continue to re-locate to the suburbssuburbs

Boomers will feel confident about re-Boomers will feel confident about re-locating, especially to small towns, rural locating, especially to small towns, rural communities, or other countriescommunities, or other countries

Boomers are more likely to choose Boomers are more likely to choose independent housing in communities than independent housing in communities than large isolated retirement communitieslarge isolated retirement communities

Future Trends: MigrationFuture Trends: MigrationDream Towns for Baby Dream Towns for Baby

BoomersBoomers1. Loveland/Fort Collins, Colorado1. Loveland/Fort Collins, Colorado

2. Bellingham, Washington2. Bellingham, Washington

3. Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North 3. Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North CarolinaCarolina

4. Sarasota, Florida4. Sarasota, Florida

5. Fayetteville, Arkansas5. Fayetteville, Arkansas

6. Charleston, South Carolina6. Charleston, South Carolina7. Asheville, North Carolina7. Asheville, North Carolina8. San Diego, California8. San Diego, California9. San Antonio, Texas9. San Antonio, Texas10. Santa Fe, New Mexico10. Santa Fe, New Mexico11. Gainesville, Florida11. Gainesville, Florida12. Iowa City, Iowa12. Iowa City, Iowa13. Portsmouth, New Hampshire13. Portsmouth, New Hampshire14. Spokane, Washington14. Spokane, Washington15. Ashland, Oregon15. Ashland, Oregon

Future Trends: Leisure and Future Trends: Leisure and Physical Activity ParticipationPhysical Activity Participation

Between 1988 and 1995 there was an 18% Between 1988 and 1995 there was an 18% increase in sport, fitness, and outdoor increase in sport, fitness, and outdoor activities and a 21% increase in fitness-specific activities and a 21% increase in fitness-specific activities in the baby boom populationactivities in the baby boom population

Boomers are very likely to carry their Boomers are very likely to carry their orientation toward fitness into retirementorientation toward fitness into retirement

There may be a high demand for recreational There may be a high demand for recreational resources and pressure for access to resources and pressure for access to competitive and high-risk sports from baby competitive and high-risk sports from baby boomers as they retireboomers as they retire

The high level of educational attainment The high level of educational attainment among baby boomers may affect what types of among baby boomers may affect what types of leisure activities they preferleisure activities they prefer

Research suggests that higher levels of Research suggests that higher levels of education are correlated with larger leisure education are correlated with larger leisure repertoires.repertoires.

Future Trends: Mass Media UsageFuture Trends: Mass Media Usage

Future Trends: Internet UsageFuture Trends: Internet Usage

Future Trends: Predictions of Leisure Future Trends: Predictions of Leisure Opportunities (Dychtwald)Opportunities (Dychtwald)

““Retirement Zone” storesRetirement Zone” stores Adventure travel servicesAdventure travel services ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships Use of “experience agents”Use of “experience agents” Mature “escorts”Mature “escorts” Mature dating Mature dating

servicesservices

Summary: Activities and Summary: Activities and Lifestyle Patterns of Older Lifestyle Patterns of Older

AdultsAdults Individuals vary more from each other Individuals vary more from each other

than they vary as they age. Change within than they vary as they age. Change within an individual is gradual an individual is gradual

Most of adults’ discretionary time is spent Most of adults’ discretionary time is spent at or near homeat or near home

Activities that are most essential and Activities that are most essential and universal, and those with the lowest universal, and those with the lowest physical and mental demands, take up a physical and mental demands, take up a larger fraction of older persons’ dayslarger fraction of older persons’ days

Summary : Activities and Summary : Activities and Lifestyle Patterns of Older Lifestyle Patterns of Older

AdultsAdults Adults are increasingly selective toward Adults are increasingly selective toward

meaningful activities as they agemeaningful activities as they age The relative order and priorities of what The relative order and priorities of what

Americans consider “fun” has not changed Americans consider “fun” has not changed from 01-02from 01-02

Longitudinal changes mirror cross-Longitudinal changes mirror cross-sectional changes, except that women sectional changes, except that women have increased paid work involvement as have increased paid work involvement as they age and younger women have they age and younger women have decreased the amount of time spent in decreased the amount of time spent in housework housework

Summary: Future TrendsSummary: Future Trends People are approaching later life better People are approaching later life better

educated, better financially prepared, educated, better financially prepared, and in better healthand in better health

Technology will enable people to “age in Technology will enable people to “age in place” in their homesplace” in their homes

Boomers are likely to remain in suburbs Boomers are likely to remain in suburbs or relocate to small townsor relocate to small towns

Boomers may have Boomers may have higher participation higher participation rates in sports, exercise, rates in sports, exercise, and fitnessand fitness

Effects of Air Pollution on the Effects of Air Pollution on the Health of Older Adults Health of Older Adults AND AND

Activities and Lifestyle Patterns Activities and Lifestyle Patterns of Older Adultsof Older Adults

How might these activity patterns How might these activity patterns interact with air pollution and health interact with air pollution and health effects? effects?

Other comments or questions?Other comments or questions?

Activities and Lifestyle Patterns Activities and Lifestyle Patterns of Older Adultsof Older Adults

Lesa Lorenzen HuberLesa Lorenzen HuberCenter on Aging and AgedCenter on Aging and Aged

Indiana UniversityIndiana [email protected]@indiana.edu

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