Traditionally organized leisure activities have many critics.

„Anyone who needs something like that must be really old“ or „Only old people go there“ are typical answers from 58- to 68-year-old retirees when asked for their assessment of so-called senior citizen programs.

Those who are still able to entertain themselves well – and that, according to a representative survey by the BAT Leisure Research Institute, is a good two-thirds of this age group – have never participated in a special leisure program for seniors. Half of them, in turn, consider such programs simply superfluous. The psychological explanation: Many of our older citizens feel too young; they consider contact with the younger and middle generations more vital. Those who regularly participate in senior programs isolate themselves, or worse, demonstrate an inability to help themselves.

For the desire for activity that is still present, especially among younger retirees, there are few suitable options, as commitment and initiative are not encouraged in the usual senior programs. The typical and best-known offerings are coffee trips or similar arrangements, which also enjoy the greatest acceptance. As soon as things get more specialized, such as senior citizens' clubs, senior sports, or church-related activities, those surveyed resist, for whom the very term "senior citizens" is often an abomination.

Participation is more likely among people who live alone, women, people with less education, and those who are generally dissatisfied with their free time.

To offer programs acceptable to the majority of retirees, BAT leisure experts believe that any impression of occupational therapy should be avoided from the outset. The programs must be more psychologically sensitive to the needs of older people, without reducing them to "old people" or "seniors," and must also take different age groups more into account.