Do you think you spend more than 43.2 minutes each day on grooming?

Well, whether you think that is more or less than what you spend on bathing, combing your hair or painting your nails, that's how much time seniors across all age groups spend on grooming. That's according to the Key Indicators of Wellness – Seniors – 2010 published by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (FORUM). It’s 4% of the 1,440 minutes we all have every day.

But it wasn’t the statistics on grooming that really caught my eye. No, it was how much time seniors spent on leisure activities.

Ages 55 – 64 spend 24%, or 5.75 hours per day

Ages 65 – 74 spend 30%, or 7.2 hours per day

Ages 75 and over spend 32%, or 7.68 hours per day

A good portion of the 6% difference between seniors in the first two age groups mentioned is because of the change when outside work is stopped. These statistics tell me that leisure activities are really important for seniors. There is time to pursue interests and hobbies, and they actively take advantage of that.

Some people, like my husband, don’t have much in the way of “hobbies.” I worry that when he retires he will be bored and I will find him parked in front of the TV all day – alone.

When I see all the activities available for Westminster Village residents, it make me realize that you can go into retirement with no hobbies and develop interests simply because you have time to try all sorts of new things from painting to gardening to woodworking to playing cards or other games with buddies.

Or you can spend your time watching TV. I guess leisure time is time spent doing whatever it is you enjoy – and that can include watching movies or re-runs of sit-coms.

When you live in a retirement community like Westminster Village in West Lafayette, you are in close proximity to a wide variety of activities and others who can enjoy them with you. That means you don’t have to get out your coat, get in the car and drive across town – which gives you more time to spend in leisure activities!

Posted by Elaine W., WV Blog Team