Happiness and Development of the Elderly: Leisure As an Enhancing Agency

Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction are phrases used to evaluate the wellbeing of individuals and societies. Much documented evidence exists that children and those in the workforce are active and occupied in their ways of life. However, activity and busyness are not evident in later life, especially after the cessation of work. After retirement, common knowledge indicates a contraction of the range of activities leading to boredom and loneliness. This paper advocates that contraction of activities need not occur. It uses leisure to increase the repertoire through learning new activities, substituting for those one was accustomed to and adapting to those and individual once enjoyed. Advancements that enhance the extension of life and new technologies, combined with focused attitudes will enable people in late age to be fully occupied and happy.