Homes away from home: registered clubs as leisure providers for older people living in the Tweed Heads region of Australia

In Australia licensed clubs provide a contemporary context for many older people’s leisure experiences. This study explored the way in which three clubs in the Tweed Heads region of New South Wales cater for older people’s leisure needs. Participants comprised 40 club members aged 65 years or more, together with two aged-care/welfare professionals and two local residents affiliated with the National Seniors Association. Information was collected via focus groups and interviews. Findings suggested that clubs attract older people because they offer diverse activities that are enjoyable, affordable, and conducive to health. Older people value the social interaction found in clubs and believe clubs provide respite from domestic pressures. Their criticisms of clubs largely concern unresponsive managers and staff, unsatisfactory facilities, and the despoliation of valued amenities by poker machines. Overall, clubs appear to be a valuable resource for older people who often confront the transitions of later life with limited economic and social resources.