Methodological Corner
An Innovative Approach to Recruiting Homebound Older Adults

Research in Gerontological Nursing  Vol. 3 No. 1 January 2010

By Nelma B. Crawford Shearer, PhD, RN; Julie D. Fleury, PhD, RN; Michael Belyea, PhD

ABSTRACT

Recruiting older adults to participate in intervention research is essential for advancing the science in this field. Developing a relevant recruitment plan responsive to the unique needs of the population before beginning a project is critical to the success of a research study. This article describes our experiences in the process of recruiting homebound older adults to test a community-based health empowerment intervention. In our study, the trust and partnership that existed between the research team and Community Action Agency facilitated the role of the home-delivered meal drivers as a trusted and untapped resource for study recruitment. Researchers can benefit from thinking creatively and developing meaningful partnerships when conducting research with older adults.

AUTHORS

Dr. Shearer is Associate Professor and Co-Director, Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, Dr. Fleury is Hanner Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director, PhD Program, and Dr. Belyea is Research Professor, Arizona State University, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phoenix, Arizona.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research (1 R15 NR009225-01A2).

Address correspondence to Nelma B. Crawford Shearer, PhD, RN, Associate Professor and Co-Director, Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, Arizona State University, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, 500 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004; e-mail: Nelma.shearer@asu.edu.

Received: April 3, 2008; Accepted: June 15, 2009; Posted: November 25, 2009

doi:10.3928/19404921-20091029-01