Significant numbers of the over-50s are taking holidays or short breaks as they progress into later years, with almost half taking at least one weekend break within Ireland in the past year.
An Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll of the over-50s shows that 44 per cent of them took a least one weekend break within Ireland, 39 per cent took a one or two-week holiday abroad, while 24 per cent took a weekend break abroad.
Many of the over-50s are travelling regularly, with one-in-five taking between two and three weekend breaks at home per year.
The proportion of older people travelling remains consistent up to age of 70, after which numbers begin to decline. Nevertheless, the rates remain significant among the over-70s, with some 38 per cent taking weekend break in the past year.
The level of ownership of holiday homes is much lower among the over-50s. A total of 4 per cent own a second home in Ireland and 3 per cent own a holiday home abroad.
The rates of ownership are highest in the 50-54 age group (7 per cent) and fall off with age. The lowest rate is among the over-70s (2 per cent).
Most older people enjoy a diverse range of leisure activities such as reading, entertaining friends at home, going to the restaurant or pub, with participation rates tending to fall off among the over-70s.
Some 48 per cent go to a restaurant once a month or more often, the proportion going to a pub once a month or more often is 50 per cent, to a play, concert or movie 14 per cent and to an adult education class 8 per cent.
Some 30 per cent participate in games, sports or hobbies outside the home once a month or more often, 24 per cent participate in voluntary work, 94 per cent read a newspaper, 58 per cent read a book and 65 per cent entertain friends or relatives in their own home.
The frequency with which the over-50s take part in these activities remains fairly constant until the over-70 age group, where there is a reduction.
While 48 per cent of all the over-50s go to a restaurant at least once a month, 23 per cent of the over-70s do so. Similarly, while 50 per cent of all over-50s go to a pub once a month or more often, 35 per cent of the over-70s do so.
The fall-off is also evident in the area of voluntary work. While 24 per cent of all the over-50s are involved in such activities, 14 per cent of the over-70s are. Despite the stereotype of older people not adapting to new technology, poll results show almost half of the over-50s own a home computer (44 per cent), 27 per cent have regular dial-up internet access and 17 per cent of the over-50s have broadband internet access.
Of those with internet access, however, 27 per cent say they rarely or never use it, indicating that in some cases the internet access is used by children living in the home rather than by the householder. Some 27 per cent use the internet every day, 19 per cent two or three days a week, 13 per cent about once a week, 4 per cent every two to three weeks, 5 per cent once a month and 5 per cent less than once a month.
Internet usage becomes significantly lower in the older age groups.