Classification of late-life leisure activities among elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To develop a classification to describe leisure activities of elderly Hong Kong Chinese based on the functions fulfilled, namely: intellectual, physical, social, and recreational.

Methods: A focus group comprising care-for-the-elderly professionals was invited to identify leisure activities commonly practised by elderly Chinese in Hong Kong. An independent panel of occupational therapists in the field of geriatrics and psychiatry was invited to classify the activities into physical, intellectual, social, and recreational categories based on their professional opinion in the context of local practice. The classification was then validated against the opinions of a non-depressed elderly convenience sample with relatively preserved cognition.

Results: A total of 33 types of activities were identified, of which 13 were classified as intellectual, 8 as social, 9 as recreational, and 3 as physical. The 3 types of physical activities (mind-body exercise, strenuous aerobic exercise, and stretching and toning exercise) were further divided into different subtypes.

Conclusions: An easy-to-understand classification of late-life leisure activities among Chinese has been developed.