A comparison of recruiting strategies for increasing older adults' initial entry and compliance in a memory training...

Older adults in highrise buildings were recruited for memory training using positive ("build your memory power"), neutral ("learn memory skills"), or negative ("avoid memory failures") content approaches which were: printed on a poster mounted in a prominent place (CSA), presented orally at a building meeting (PC), and, finally, printed on flyers distributed to the residents (DC). There were more volunteers after PC with neutral or positive content, but the CSA respondents were more likely to complete the training. Negative content was most likely to attract persons concerned about age-related memory decline. The discussion focused on the appropriate recruitment methods for particular intervention programs.