The study aims to examine whether regular leisure activity of the elderly with active and passive types has a beneficial effect to enhance their health condition. The elderly subjects of 164 (82 of elderly who do active leisure and 82 of elderly who do passive leisure) aged over 60 years in Suwon area were employed. Survey questionnaires were administered to investigate general characteristics, life style, and health status along with anthropometric measurement. From the findings, the elderly who do active leisure were highly educated and better in living status. The elderly who do passive leisure showed higher drinking and smoking rates as well as higher obesity and overweight rates in comparison to the other counterpart. Furthermore, the elderly who do passive leisure were poor in health status. 'Painful knee and eye', 'lower back pain', and 'fatigue' were the most prevalent among subjective symptoms of the elderly. In conclusion, the elderly with active leisure activity seemed to have better life style and maintain good health status. Therefore, it is critically important to establish the health program combined with various leisure activity for the seniors to promote and energize the later years of life.
Purpose - This study surveys factors such as lifestyles, nutritional status, physical indicators, and physical fitness levels that affect the health of seniors over the age of 65 and based on the collected data attempts to create a senior health index model that provides health service information, help support seniors’ successful aging, and improve their quality of life.
Research design, data, and methodology – This paper conducted the development for senior health index model and the cross validity verification to examine the status of senior health level, and aimed at setting the health status evaluation criteria. Seniors 384 usable data were analyzed.
Results – As an attempt to segment the senior health service market, I divided the results of this study based on measurability, accessibility, disparity between groups, and the size of the potential client base. I divided the senior market into five subgroups: very healthy, healthy, normal, weak, and very weak.
Conclusions - The findings of this study may prove useful in preparing for the forthcoming super-aged society through segmentation of the senior market, understanding differences between groups with different health conditions, and discovering effective marketing strategies that meet the demands of different senior groups.