Successful aging: The evaluation of leisure time of older adults with chronic health condition

The purpose of this research is to examine the leisure time of the older adults with chronic health condition and to understand the successful model of aging and changes of leisure time according to selective optimization with compensation. Selective optimization with compensation model conceptualizes adaptation to aging and aging by focusing on development potential and earnings in the face of decreasing reserve capacities and increasing losses in certain areas. There is the possibility to balance losses and earnings in old age. The model suggests that it may be possible to balance losses and earnings in old age. In this research the leisure time of older adults with chronic health conditions is examined by designing a qualitative research based on interview technique. The research was held with 3 female and 16 male participants, 19 in total, resident in Antalya 'Döşemealtı Halil Akyüz Nursing Home'. This research is case study which carries phenomenological feature. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and it was seen that older adults could not use selective optimization with compensation model effectively. It is to understand that participants spend more time for activities which were before their illness. It was observed that the acquisition of new activities which have a loss based selection are performed by few of individuals. Revealed that the resource provided by the nursing home are important in compensation and optimization. Although very few, it has been determined that some participants managed their disease status with compensation and optimization. Furthermore, the individuals adopt passive activities in the presence of their illness. Nevertheless, they are mostly involved in social and occupational activities. It was found that in the context of factors affecting free time participation in physical activities was less due to existence of effect of disease, social environment, physical environment and age. The participants gained the most psychological benefit from their leisure activities. The fact that the participants have ambiguous goals while expressing the leisure time goals is an indication that selective optimization compensation model is not adopted. As a result, older individuals do not know how to evaluate their leisure time. Keywords: Gerontology, successful ageing, selective optimization with compensation, leisure time, recreation