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ERIC Number: EJ855153
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Oct
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
Recruiting Older Adults into a Physical Activity Promotion Program: "Active Living Every Day" Offered in a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community
Hildebrand, Mary; Neufeld, Peggy
Gerontologist, v49 n5 p702-710 Oct 2009
Purpose: This article explores recruitment strategies based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) with older adults living in a naturally occurring retirement community (NORC) to encourage enrollment in a physical activity promotion program, "Active Living Every Day" (ALED). Reasons for participation or nonparticipation are identified. Design and Methods: Recruitment strategies were designed to move older adults through the TTM stages of change to enroll in ALED and were built on meetings and resources established by St. Louis NORC's supportive service program. NORC residents (25 ALED participants and 25 nonparticipants) were interviewed about reasons for enrollment or nonenrollment. Results: A significant difference was found between the two groups on their responses to a physical activity stage-of-change question, although no significant differences were found in their demographics, social resources, and mood/depression. ALED participants' motivation to enroll primarily came from TTM proactive recruitment methods (88%) and less (12%) from reactive methods. Themes for ALED participants' choices to enroll included motivation to exercise, physical activity ideas from peers, social engagement, and trust in sponsoring organizations' staff and programs. Analysis of interview data identified that scheduling and cost were primary reasons for nonenrollment in ALED. Implications: Using theoretically based recruitment methods for older adults and a neighborhood approach through organizations such as a NORC may result in greater numbers of older adults participating in health promotion programs.
Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A