Letter to the Editor

Social and leisure occupations are key in promoting health and wellbeing among older adults. COVID-19 restrictions caused widespread occupational disruption, particularly affecting older adults due to their perceived vulnerability and enforced isolation (de Vries et al., 2023). While many older adults adapted to maintain engagement in leisure and social occupations during the pandemic, limited research has been conducted on their experience of resuming these occupations post-pandemic.

To explore the experiences of community-dwelling older adults’ re-engaging in leisure and social occupations post COVID-19 lockdown.

Using qualitative-descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 older adults. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Thematic data analysis generated three main themes:

1. The experience of disruption during lockdown;

2. Re-engagement in leisure and social occupations; and

3. Influences on re-engagement.

These themes were supported by five associated sub-themes. Findings of this study confirm the impact of lockdowns on older adults’ leisure and social occupations and describe the process, personal and contextual factors influencing their re-engagement post-lockdown.

This study’s findings highlight the importance of leisure and social occupations for older adults’ health and well-being. Despite disruptions, individuals adapted to resume their pre-established leisure and social occupations. Various personal and contextual factors influenced this re-engagement process.

Occupational therapists are well-positioned to support older adults with re-engaging in leisure and social activities after disruption. By deepening their understanding of the factors affecting their re-engagement, therapists can better serve older people and promote healthy ageing through continued occupational engagement.