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Recreational Spaces for Elderly people.

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 RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

Recreational Spaces for Elderly People

Dr. Parag Govardhan Narkhede - Email : parag@bkps.edu
Dr. Parag Govardhan Narkhede, Head of the Department at BKPS College of Architecture, Pune,
serving the institute for last 16 years. He has completed his doctorate in Architecture from University
of Pune. He has written 90 papers including 40 refereed publication. He has participated in UGC -
BCUD research schemes at University of Pune. He is working as member of Board of Studies at
Symbiosis University and MIT University at Pune. He is also a PhD Co-Supervisor at VTU Belgaum and
MIT University, Pune. He is recognized UG and PG guide at University of Pune.

Ar. Snehali Dharia - Email : riya331993@gmail.com

Ar. Snehali Dharia is practicing Architect, passed out from BKPS College of Architecture, Pune. She is
working on various Architectural and Interior Design projects at Pune and Mumbai. The paper is
based upon her research on spaces for Elderly.

ABSTRACT : Elderly people's recreation has foremost importance. Elderly people would like to spend their life socially in a calm
and serene ambience. But now with the rapidly increasing urbanisation, there is a need to provide activities and spaces which
would be easily accessible and create social interaction between these people.
The paper is an attempt in understanding of daily routine of elderly people and study of their various current and desired
recreational activities and their relationship with the age groups along with minute observations of the activities performed by
the elderly people and analysis of appropriate recreational activities and spaces for the elderly people catering to their needs.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 LITERATURE

Recreational activities which is defined as 'any activity 2.1 RECREATION

conducted usually for the purpose of enjoyment in free time'
for the elderly people have foremost importance.
Mimrod and Kleiber (2008) indicate that continuing and
increasing recreational participation, helps to overcome the
problems of isolation and depression, anxiety and shyness and
is directly associated with greater well being of senior citizens.
So considering all these issues there's an increased concern for
recreational activities of the elderly people and need of
designed recreational areas.
Though necessary in urban areas, there are hardly any areas
specially designed for elderly people.
Recreational activities are those activities conducted usually
for the purpose of enjoyment in free time. Recreation is an
essential part of human life and finds many different forms
which are shaped naturally by individual interests but also by
the surrounding social construction. Recreational activities
can be are broadly divided into active or passive recreation.
2.2 ELDERLY PEOPLE
Elderly consists of ages surpassing the average life span of
human beings. The boundary of old age cannot be defined
exactly because it does not have the same meaning in all
societies. Government of India adopted 'National Policy on

08 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SEPTEMBER 2018

 RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

Older Persons' in January, 1999. The policy defines 'senior METHODOLOGY

citizen' as a person who is of age 60 years or above. The ages 60
is also often used as the minimum age for participation in
recreational programs for older adults.
2.3 STATISTICAL DATA
From the charts below we can see that the percentage of the
aged population is increasing rapidly, Thus according to the
Statistical dept, the percentage of aged people in India will be
more than that of the working age group and that of children in
about next 30 years. According to the census 2011, total
percentage of elderly people in India is 7.4, while that in
Maharashtra is about 8.6%. Thus there will be huge
responsibility of working class people to look after them.
2.4 IMPORTANCE OF RECREATION ON ELDERLY
Nowadays with the rapidly increasing urbanisation, elderly
people are not able to spend their life socially in a calm and
serene environment. Wright and Berg (1982) found that
recreational activities and social activities helps to overcome
the problems of loneliness and depression caused due to an
increase with the population And also elderly have more free
time than any other age groups and that numerous studies
have been conducted with results indicating that recreational
activity is an important quality of life factor for the elderly.
Emes (1979) and Knapp (1977) have also found that
recreational activity is significantly related to enhanced life
satisfaction, psychological well being and various physical and
social benefits.
So considering all these issues there's an increased concern for
recreational activities of the elderly people and need of
designed recreational spaces.
12.0
10.0
Projected
Population 2011
The research was carried out with an objective to understand
the elderly peoples current and desired recreational activities
and also spaces required for the same.
Hence broadly two primary methods were adopted.
1. Interviews and survey of elderly people.
A survey of few areas of Pune city-core area, Aundh, Pashan &
Baudhan was conducted, and elderly people were interviewed
with a questionnaire with a perspective to understand the
opinions, their current and desired recreational activities and
spaces for the elderly people age group wise.
26 senior citizens (equal number of male and female) in each
of the area of Pune city were interviewed and their leisure
habits and recreational preferences were studied.
The questionnaire with which elderly people were
interviewed was multiple choice questionnaires related to-
1) Name &Age
2) Apart from daily routine, what are other activities you
carry out in your free time?
3) What are your current recreational activities?
4) What are your desired recreational activities?
5) Any related recreation carried out by you??
6) Do you like to spend time in outdoor areas or indoor
areas?
7) Do you like to socially interact with other people?
8) With what age group do you feel comfortable with?
10.5
8.0 7.4

6.0
4.0
0 - 14 years 4.0
15 - 59 years 2.0
Population 0.0
60 years & above
Census
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SEPTEMBER 2018 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 09

 RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

4.1.4 - COMPARATIVELY ANALYSIS OF THREE AREAS

SURVEY CORE AREA AUNDH BAUDHAN

0% 0% 0%

Age Groups

60-70 70-80 80+ 60-70 70-80 80+ 60-70 70-80 80+

0% 0% 0%

Preferred Social
Interaction Space

OUTDOORS INDOORS OUTDOORS INDOORS OUTDOORS INDOORS

0% 0% 0%

Age Group to
Spend Time with

ELDERLY YOUNGSTERS ELDERLY YOUNGSTERS ELDERLY YOUNGSTERS

From the above comparison of three areas it was observed that more than 50% of elderly people are in the age group of 60-70. In
all the three area of Pune city more than 60% of aged people prefer social interaction in outdoor areas. Also elderly people felt
comfortable when they spend time with their same age group rather than kids or youngsters.

COMPARATIVELY ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ACTIVITIES AS PER AGE GROUPS

SURVEY CORE AREA AUNDH BAUDHAN

0% 0% 0%

Current Recreation
60-70

ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH

0% 0% 0%

70-80

ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH

0% 0% 0%

80+

ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH

From the above comparison of current activities of three areas it was observed that current active recreation is in abundance in
the age group of 60-70 in the core area and Aundh except Baudhan where passive recreation is in abundance due to lack of
accessibility factor.

10 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SEPTEMBER 2018

 RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

COMPARATIVELY ANALYSIS OF DESIRED ACTIVITIES AS PER AGE GROUPS

SURVEY CORE AREA AUNDH BAUDHAN

0% 0% 0%

Current Recreation
60-70

ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH

0% 0% 0%

70-80

ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH

0% 0% 0%

80+

ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH ACTIVE PASSIVE BOTH

From the above comparison of desired activities of three areas it was observed that desired active recreation is in abundance in
the age group of 60-70 while it was the least in the age group of above 80.

3.3 ACTIVITY OBSERVATION

The study included observation of the activities performed by
the elderly people in the respective areas. It also included
observation of their behaviour and study of the places where
they prefer to spend their free time. Activity observation
helped in giving examples of spaces where people like to visit
or use when they are free. It also suggested informal activities
they tend to do when they are able to move about and interact
in a space where they are more comfortable.
The study is done in spaces around residential
neighbourhood, housing societies, public parks, temples, road
sides, food joints, old age homes, club house and similar such
spaces.

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 RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

4.2.1 - INFERENCES BASED ON SURVEY AND ACTIVITY OBSERVATION

The inferences based on the survey and activity observation are as follows :
FINDINGS INFERENCES

Most of the elderly people like to socially interact in outdoor Maximum open areas should be provided as interacting
areas spaces or courtyards to create openness

Elderly people are more comfortable when they are close to Landscapes areas-trees, shrubs, shaded pathways, use of local
nature materials should be provided and can be used as an
congregation space.

Eg. a typical par for social interaction

Elderly people like to spend time with same age groups Specially designed recreational spaces only for elderly

Active recreational activities are in abundance in the age Spaces for such activities should be provided
group of 60-70
Eg. outdoor gym, jogging track, area for playing sports

Passive recreational activities are in abundance in the age Spaces for such activities should be provided
group of above 80yrs
E.g. space for indoor games, spaces for get together etc.

Elderly people like to perform religious rituals A religious space with traditional ambience can be created for
performing kirtans reciting bhajjans, celebration of festivals

Carry out recreation related to health Yoga meditation room, physiotherapy centre should be
provided

3.3 SPACE OBSERVATION

Observation of recreational spaces indoor as well as outdoor
spaces was carried out. It included study of landscaped areas,
architectural elements, levels, colors, lighting, textures and
materials.
The study is done in public parks, road sides, old age homes
like Niwara, Matoshree and Satayu Bhavan and also in clubs
like Satayvu club, Shanineketan and hobby centre.

Colour difference when level difference

Continuous steps to be avoided Seatings at right angles provide comfort

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 RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE
INFERENCES BASED ON SPACE OBSERVATION
ELEMENTS
RAMPS AND STAIRCASE
PATHWAYS AND CORRIDORS
SEATINGS
LEVEL DROPS
CONCLUSIONS
The interview, survey and activity observation reflected
increased need of recreation for the elderly people.
Recreation helps to overcome the problems of loneliness and
depression caused due to an increase with the population.
And also with these recreational facilities elderly people's
involvement in active leisure would be encouraged and they
would get an opportunity to fulfil the desired activity.
The findings from the survey and activity observations helped
in giving examples of spaces where these active and passive
recreational activities could be carried out and what type of
activities were carried out by which age groups of elderly
people. Observation of recreational spaces served as a design
guideline and also focused on issues which need to be
addressed for designing recreational spaces for the elderly.
SEPTEMBER 2018 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Ramps with low gradient and handrails be provided to enable
barrier free movement. Handrails should be provided where
aged people are expected to move. Continuous flight of stairs
should be avoided and steps should be provided with
handrails.
The pathways/flooring surfaces should be leveled and should
be with out of any obstruction, should be antiskid, on slippery
and be climate responsive to provide comfort for the aged.
Conversational seating areas should be at right angles to one
another to facilitate comfortable Communication. All seating
should have back supports and arm rests.
Single stepped level drop should be avoided or else there
should be color difference, material difference when there's a
level difference for smooth movement of aged people.
Landing be provided before any change in level.
BIBLIOGRAPHY :
1. Andrews J. Gavin and Phillips R. David ; 2005, Ageing.
and place – perspectives policy practice, Routledge
London.
2. Liebig S. Phoebe and Rajan Irudaya S;2003, An aging
in India, Haworth press , New York.
3. Smith E. Allison; 2009, Aging in urban neighbourhood-
place attachment and social exclusion, The policy
press, Great Britain.
4. Carman Jack, Carman Nancy, Scarfo Bob, 2009,
Recreating neighbourhoods for successful aging,
Health professions press , Baltimore, Maryland.
5. Web page without author info”: Available from: Open
Source Repository http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/
fun-activities-for-senior-citizens.html
(10 March 2014).
6. Web page without author info”: Available from: Open
Source Repository http://eldercarNimrod, G. (2007).
Retirees' Leisure: Activities, benefits, and their
contribution to life satisfaction. Leisure Studies, 26(1):
65-80.e.ufhealth.org/senior-recreation-center.
(10 March 2015).
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