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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2011 May;26(3):227–234. doi: 10.1177/1533317511399569

Exploring the Reasons Urban and Rural-Dwelling Older Adults Participate in Memory Research

Amanda Hunsaker 1, C Elizabeth Sarles 2, Daniel Rosen 3, Jennifer H Lingler 4, Marla Bonacile Johnson 5, Lisa Morrow 6, Judith Saxton 7
PMCID: PMC3088766  NIHMSID: NIHMS267899  PMID: 21343152

Abstract

This study examines how underrepresented older urban and rural-dwelling individuals conceptualize participation in cognitive impairment studies. Nine focus groups were held with urban and rural-dwelling older adults who had participated in a community-based memory screening study. Expected and experienced benefits of research participation were motivators for study participation in all focus groups. Results indicate that participation in memory research was believed to lead to an understanding of memory function. Focus group participants expressed an active interest in research on dementia, and viewed research participation as a way to address memory concerns and provide a benefit to society.

Keywords: underrepresented older adults, research participation, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, focus groups

Full Text

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Contributor Information

Amanda Hunsaker, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, aeh30@pitt.edu .

C. Elizabeth Sarles, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.

Daniel Rosen, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Jennifer H. Lingler, Department of Health and Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA.

Marla Bonacile Johnson, Bonacile Enterprises, Pittsburgh, PA.

Lisa Morrow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.

Judith Saxton, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.

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