Flow in Home-Based Leisure During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Case Study for People Aged 65 and Over in Turkey

Abstract

This paper highlights flow in home-based leisure regarding people (aged 65 and over) who have to adapt their lives and behaviors while staying "safer at home" during the coronavirus outbreak. The purpose of this case study, based on qualitative interviews, observations and secondary data (including social media posts, news and videos), is to examine older people's perceptions and experiences regarding COVID-19-based leisure. Further, it is intended to provide an understanding of how older people conceptualize and relate to leisure during the outbreak. Hence, this study explores the following research questions through semi-structured interviews, observations and secondary data: (a) How do older people perceive restrictions regarding COVID-19? (b) How are the flow behavior of older people who must stay at home influenced by their gender, age, family size, and marital status? and (c) How do older people manage their time in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak? The findings of this research will provide insight into the evaluation of leisure during the time of the outbreak and track corresponding behavior and perception changes. As a result, the findings will contribute new knowledge about how contingency conditions (COVID-19 outbreak) influence flow and leisure perceptions.

Pandemi̇ Süreci̇nde Yaşli Bi̇reyleri̇n Gözünden Kirilganlik Ve Hi̇zmet Baskin Mantik

“…For example, if older people are not happy with the service of doormen, they are not happy with the service of the market that the doormen shopped from. Their compulsory inactive position decreases the value they perceive from service (Argan et al, 2020). They then limit orders or prefer to order packaged goods, which do not require any selection process, to cope with the situation and sustain value.…”

“…The COVID-19 outbreak transformed the actors of the system and created an increased dependency on information technology and new business models for many sectors (Mele et al, 2021;Xiang et al, 2021), like paid quarantine related services (Hoang et al, 2021), short-distance travel for tourists (Jafari et al, 2020) or online delivery systems for food services (Hobbs, 2020). COVID-19 has also had a major impact on individuals like older people, which represent the most affected segment of the population (Argan et al, 2020) due to loneliness, reduced social activity (Kutsal, 2020;Ustun, 2020;Robb et al, 2020) and a decline in leisure and shopping trips (Shakibaei et al, 2021). In Turkey, 65+ people (older people) are the main segment of the population who were under curfew during the acute period of the outbreak, and although social media and the internet were available, they did not utilize online shopping as a new method of acquiring goods and services (Naharci et al, 2020).…”

Are Covid-19 Pandemic Physical Activity Levels Affect Balance, Gait, Cognitive Functions and Fear of Covid-19 of Older Adults?

“…Several countermeasures have been taken for older people since they are at high risk and establish a significant population group in Turkey. As of March 21, 2020, a lockdown was issued for people aged 65 and over (4).…”