Physical Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly

Running head: LEISURE ACTIVITY AND DEMENTIA
Physical Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly
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Physical Leisure activities and the risk of moderate dementia in the elderly
The risk of dementia has been associated with old age. The older one gets the higher the
chances of dementia. A lot of attention has been provided to dementia and researches on possible
ways to prevention strategies. Identification of protective factors is important to the development
of effective modes of management of dementia. Several studies link dementia to less
participation in leisure activities during the middle adulthood. The leisure activities also play a
role in cognitive status in old age. According to Genoe (2010), individuals with a higher level of
education are less likely to be exposed to dementia due to the great capacity of cognitive reserve.
This paper is a literature review on the leisure activities of dementia among the orderly and the
suggestion for further studies.
Objectives
The previous studies suggest that engagement in leisure activities such as physical, social
and mental activities are associated to lower risk of dementia. Engagement in leisure activities is
associated with successful aging and those above the age of 85 years receive a lot of cognitive
impairments that affects their daily activities functioning satisfaction. Few studies have evaluated
the link between leisure activities and dementia. Chang, Wray and Lin (2014) also link a
person’s engagement in leisure activities to improve the cognitive reserve resulting in lower risk
of dementia. Therefore, this paper aims at identifying whether physical leisure activity
participation in old age reduces the risks of moderate dementia. In this case, physical leisure
activities would include; hiking, swimming, dancing and planned exercise.
Statement of the problem
Improved health care services have increased the life expectancy among the older adult in
their mid-60s. An increase in the population of older adults in the world today has seen an

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increase in cognitive impairment disorders such as dementia. According to the world health
organization report (2015), by 2030, 75.6 million of older adults have been diagnosed with
dementia. The risk of diagnosis of dementia is seen to increase with age such that 5-8% between
the ages of 65-74years and 25-50% for those above the age of 85 is affected with cognitive
impairment (American Psychological Association, 2012). The increased prevalence of diagnosis
of cognitive impairments disorders such as dementia at an older age has led to research on the
link between leisure activities and old age and the possible interventions to manage the disorder.
Dementia
Dementia affects an individuals’ short-term memory and the ability to reason. An
individual diagnosed with dementia loses their ability to perform daily activities. They are unable
to conduct social, physical and cultural activities as they were able to practice before. According
to Fernández et al. (2015), dementia is common among patients in the special care unit as they
find difficulty in handling the burden they put on family and friends. The progressive decline in
daily functioning due to dementia leads to decline in verbal communication skills. These
difficulties lead to decrease engagement in activities (Mesman, Buchanan, & Berg, 2011).
Importance of leisure activity engagement
According to Heo, Stebbins, and Lee (2013), leisure time is defined as one’s free or spare
time, where they do not take part in any form of work or studying. It is the time one engages in
activities that interests them without obligation. It is time one relaxes and enjoys doing what they
desire. Leisure is characterised with participation in different activities. According to past
studies, a positive relationship exist between leisure activities engagement and increased health
benefits. Involvement in leisure activities is associated with reduced risk of chronical illnesses
and diseases. Physical leisure activities lead to improved functions and physical strength leading

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to flexibility in joints and muscle strengths. Heo and Lee (2010) denote that, when older adults
practice leisure physical activities, they experience positive mental and psychological health
aspects. These include self-enjoyment, happiness, positive emotions and feelings. An attachment
to certain activities maintains an involvement and creation of emotional and social connection
among the participants with the same interests.
Leading lifestyle activities is critical in maintaining high levels of cognitive functioning
in old age. Stern (2017) denotes that cognitive decline can be prevented through the lifestyle
activities that stimulate the cognitive reserve in an individual. There are beneficial roles of
intellectual leisure activities as learning a new language or engaging in learning activities that
leads to the development of the cognitive level of an individual. This explains the inter-
individual differences in cognitive functioning which is visible in old age. Increased leisure
activities lead to improved cognitive functioning in old age. Leisure activities such as doing
sports, attending theatres, participation in clubs and playing games are important for the
development of cognitive activities (Wang et al., 2013).
According to Horowitz and Vanner, (2010), active engagement in leisure activities is
essential to the cognitive development and physical health. Dementia has been a major health
problem, and its prevention is important. Studies have reported that, those engaged in leisure
activities during young adulthood are less likely to contract dementia in older adulthood. Also
though engaged in leisure activities in older adult hood are at low risk of dementia. According to
Jonaitis et al. (2013) higher education level is linked to reduced risks of dementia due to
development of greater cognitive reserves as a result of increased neural synapses. Education
develops the cognitive ability of an individual. Those with lower level of education are at higher
risk of contracting dementia at old age when different changes occurs to the brain. Participation