Leisure engagement in older age is related to objective and subjective experiences of aging.

ABSTRACT: Leisure engagement has potential to slow health and functional decline in older age. However, the benefits of different leisure domains for different aspects of aging remains unclear. In 8771 older adults from the Health and Retirement Study (a longitudinal panel study), we measured engagement in physical, creative, cognitive, and community activities. Outcome-wide analyses used 23 aging experiences across seven domains eight years later (daily functioning, physical fitness, long-term physical health problems, heart health, weight, sleep, subjective perceptions of health). Physical activity was related to more positive experiences in all domains but heart health eight years later. Creative engagement was positively related to aging experiences in four domains longitudinally. Cognitive and

SUBMITTER: Bone JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10876530 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature