The Meaning of Leisure for Older Adults Living with Vision Loss

Engaging in leisure activities is related to successful aging. Because there are an increasing number of older adults living with vision loss, many of whom struggle to engage in leisure, the aim of this study was to understand the meaning behind leisure activities for older adults who are living with vision loss. Twenty-six individuals with a visual acuity of 20/70 or worse participated in semi-structured interviews and allowed for the observation of engagement in a leisure activity of choice. Three themes regarding leisure and vision loss emerged: a shift in relationships, the influence of vision loss on time use, and achieving meaning through leisure as an important outcome. Discussion focused on implications for practice, emphasizing a need to understand the meaning of an activity to achieve leisure participation outcomes, and the importance of finding ways to enable older adults with vision loss to engage in leisure occupations.