台灣地區自1993年即已邁入高齡化社會,除了健康與經濟因素外,休閒活動的參與足以影響高齡者生活品質,本研究試圖針對田園耕種這類休閒行為,分析其對高齡者生活之影響,進而提出提昇高齡者生活品質策略與方法。 為能有效探詢從事田園耕種之高齡者對其生活品質多層面之感受與滿意程度,本論文將採質化研究之深度訪談作為資料蒐集主要方法,以加入桃園縣龜山鄉農會輔導經營之「市民農園」,長時間、規律性投入其中、從事蔬果栽植休閒活動、已退休之高齡者共九位做為研究對象。 研究發現,高齡者從事田園耕種這類休閒活動所能獲致的效益包括:維持生理機能正常、結交志同道合的夥伴、提供健康清潔的蔬果、心情開朗有所寄託、肯定自我存在價值、喚起往日生活記憶等面向之效益外,藉由蔬果栽培與收穫,更能突顯田園耕種具有「生產經濟價值」這項效益;而參與團體性質之田園耕種休閒活動,結交志同道合的好友,彼此間「感情特別融洽」亦是高齡者對抗空虛寂寞最佳良藥。因此田園耕種可說是項「動靜皆宜」的休閒活動,既能同時滿足高齡者生理、心理、社會各層面之需求,而且所附帶之健康價值極高,是高齡者欲「邁向活躍老化」、「提升生活品質」最佳休閒活動選擇。
Since 1993 Taiwan has become an aging society. Besides health and economic factors, participation in leisure activities affects the quality of life of the elderly. This research focuses on the effects of horticulture on elderly living, and proposes methods and strategies for improving the quality of life of the elderly. To effectively understand the feelings and level of satisfaction of the elderly that comes from participation in horticulture, this research utilizes a qualitative method of research by conducing in-depth interview as the primary method of collecting data. The interview subjects are nine retired elderly persons that are part of the “citizens’ farm” guided and managed by Taoyuan County Gueishan Township’s Farmers Association. They have had long, regular commitments in the vegetable growing activities on the farm. This research finds that participation in horticulture has many benefits which include: maintaining normal physiological function, companionship with those sharing the same interest, expanding social contacts, providing healthful and clean vegetables, contact with nature, positive attitude, self-worth, confidence, self-respect, spiritual commitment, and recalling old memories. Moreover, through the growth of vegetables and harvesting, the “economic production value” benefit of horticulture is more pronounced. The participatory nature of horticulture as a leisure activity leads to friendships between those who share the same interest. This “sense of bonding” is the best way for the elderly to fight loneliness. As a result, horticulture can be both an active and a passive leisure activity, satisfying the physiological, mental, and social needs of the elderly. Its health values are high, and it is the best choice of leisure activity for the elderly to “actively age” and “improve quality of life.”