Table 3 Summary of themes of potential facilitators, barriers and strategies for engagement for the oldest old, older people from BME groups and older people living in deprived areas
Oldest old | ||
Potential facilitators | Potential barriers | Strategies for engagement |
• family involvement (e.g. engaging with family carers) • flexible assessment (length and time of sessions) • trust | • poor health • tiredness • unwillingness to engage in research on health promotion • lack of motivation • lack of support from family members • inaccessibility (lack of transport to research site, lack of facilities for in-home sessions) | • recruitment via primary care by known and trusted professionals • respectful and empathic approach • shorter visits over several months • ongoing face-to-face and written contact • home visits • check participants status with their GP |
Older people from BME groups | ||
Potential facilitators | Potential barriers | Strategies for engagement |
• cultural and ethnic aspects e.g. connections to the targeted community and matching participants and researchers by ethnicity • trust • personal benefits and benefits to participant’s family • social support from family, friends, staff and peers | • having other priorities • lack of transportation • costs • poor health • lack of motivation • cultural and language barriers • lack of confidence • lack of knowledge | • familiar location • word-of-mouth • information easy-to-read (bullet point format, photo of research team • introductory meetings • providing transportation • monetary incentives • friendly competitions |
Older people in deprived areas | ||
Potential facilitators | Potential barriers | Strategies for engagement |
• encouragement by others • personal interest in participating • complimentary refreshments | • poor health • inaccessibility • costs • lack of interest | • offering adaptable approach according to participants’ needs • social relationships between participants and researchers to create comfortable environment • face-to-face contact |