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Table 3 Method of recruitment

From: Methods of identifying and recruiting older people at risk of social isolation and loneliness: a mixed methods review

Author/ year

Methods of recruitment

Bouwman et al., 2017

Online advertisement, newspaper advertisements across specific regions

Collins and Benedict, 2006

Promotional flyers and newsletters at chosen senior centres and senior housing developments

Cox et al. 2007

Agencies, seniors’ groups and churches

Cresswell et al. 2012

Newspaper advertisements from local area

Dickens et al. 2011

Participants for the intervention group were recruited from cohort of individuals currently in receipt of mentoring while control group participants were recruited from those receiving usual care

Freidman et al., 2017

Participants were referred by community service organisations, others were recruited through newspaper advertisement and information flyers

Fokkema and Knipscheer 2007

Purposively selected by volunteer home visitors of Red Cross and disability support charity

Gracia and Moyle, 2010

Information was sent to managers of retirement village

Greenwald and Beery 2001

Community specialists identified individuals isolated or at risk of isolation through community agencies, food banks and city housing authority. Matched individuals throughout central and SE Seattle.

Honigh-De Vlaming et al. 2013a

Invitation letter sent to 250 clients together with their meals. Of the 250 invitation letter, 14 were returned with an interest to participate, 3 partners were also included in the study (n = 17)

Honigh-De Vlaming et al. 2013b

A range of approaches (mass-media campaign, stand at municipal information fair, monthly article in local newspaper, municipal information booklets, posters and brochures

Jones et al. 2015

Beneficiaries – awareness and referral from Age UK. Awareness raised through tenants of Plymouth Community Homes, adverts in community newspapers and bus shelters, attendance at local events and personal contacts. Volunteers were recruited via local advert.

Kahlbaugh et al. 2011

Participants were recruited through flyers posted in residential facilities and through informational sessions

Kremers et al. 2006

Advertisements in local newspapers in two regions of the Netherlands.

McAuley et al. 2000

Range of recruitment techniques – local newspaper, announcement and infomercials on local TV and radio, flyers in grocery stores, churches, senior centres

Ollonqvist et al. 2008

Selection by local social and health service staff from 7 independent rehabilitation centres & 41 municipalities

Pitkala et al. 2009

Postal questionnaire sent to a random sample of older people in 6 communities from the Finnish National Population register. The initial questionnaire required respondents to self-identify if they suffered from loneliness. a consent form was sent to those who self-identified

Routasalo et al. 2009

Same as Pitkala et al. (2009)

Saito et al., 2012

Respondents were identified from the basic resident registration card

Slegers et al. 2008

Flyer were randomly sent to 64–75 year olds on the city register

Stewart et al. 2001

No information on how the women were recruited

White et al. 2002

Information sessions for residents at housing and leaflets/flyers in housing