The meaning of leisure for well-elderly Italians in an Australian community: implications for occupational therapy.
OBJECTIVE
This paper documents a study that aimed to discover the meaning of leisure experiences for an ageing Italian community in a large regional centre in Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
This qualitative investigation used a phenomenological study design, and data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 well-elderly Australian Italians.


RESULTS
Participants engaged in numerous leisure occupations that were meaningful to them and directly impacted on positive subjective experiences and health outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This paper adds to an understanding of how leisure impacts on the health of well-elderly Australians and how occupational therapists can use leisure effectively in interventions for successful ageing.
Pereira
Robert B
RB
Occupational Therapy Department, Geelong Hospital, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Stagnitti
Karen
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria