Recreational activity of seniors with intellectual disability

Abstract

The article presents the problem of recreational activity of seniors with intellectual disability (ID). Members of this social group spend their old age in nursing homes – Polish social welfare institutions. Recreational activity has been presented through its features: types, forms, functions, levels and barriers. Recreational activity of seniors with ID is underresearched, as evidenced by poor literature on the subject. Recreation – defined as voluntary activity in spare time – is stereotypically meant for individuals with intellectual norm. Our research has shown that the surveyed seniors with ID voluntarily participate in recreational activities and tend to choose physical activity for leisure and play. Their recreational activity is at emotional and task level, according to J. Nash’s theory .