The Categorization of Leisure Activities for Older People in Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted with objectives to assess the status of leisure activities for older people in Korea using the fourth wave of the Korean Retirement and Income Study (KReIS) and Cluster Analysis. The results of this study show that the pattern of leisure activities is in 5 types - less leisure, playing indoor games, engaging in physical activities, enjoying in nature, engaging in social activities. Older people in Less leisure are less participated in leisure activities than the other types and its type accounts for 72% of all older people. And age, gender, health status and economic level are effects on the leisure activities pattern. Therefore, it is the target group who older poor females with restrictions in activities of daily living. These findings suggest that most of Korean older people spend or kill their time without certain leisures and accordingly it is needed a special political attention to support for older poor females.