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Participating in leisure is known to enhance physical wellbeing, mental health and social functioning. There is, however, little knowledge of the current level of engagement in leisure occupations by older adults in the United Kingdom. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the current leisure occupations of adults over 60 years who considered themselves to be healthy and to identify the motivations that underpinned participation in those occupations.Structured interviews were conducted with 70 adults with a mean age of 72 years. The majority of the participants (51, 73%) reported engaging in leisure occupations. The range of leisure occupations was wide and included walking, sailing, listening to music, emailing and volunteering. Of these, 23% were active leisure, 18% passive leisure, 24% social leisure, 20% hobbies and 15% other leisure occupations. Content analysis was adopted to explain the motivators for taking part in these leisure occupations. It was found that enjoyment, pleasure and relaxation were the key motivators.This study shows that the majority of well older people are participating in leisure occupations and feeling positive about doing so. Further research is required to establish the role that occupational therapists can have in encouraging older adults to continue with or develop new leisure occupations to enhance health and quality of life.

Two kinds of music, sacred and secular, were played to elderly participants and rated by them on various aspects of evoked feelings. Additionally, pre- and posttest batteries of questionnaires were administered to measure the spirituality and ego integrity of the listeners. Statistical analyses of the findings failed to reveal significant effects on the spirituality of the participants, although the two kinds of music were rated differently. When results for all the music were combined, a significant and positive correlation was found between the spirituality scores of the listeners and the ratings of both kinds of music for reverence or spirituality. Most participants found the selections restful and evocative for memories and thoughtfulness. Music of the type used in this study may have potential value as an accompaniment for techniques such as life review and relaxation therapy.

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