PURPOSE OF STUDY: To maximize respondent participation in a study of the prevalence, incidence, and natural history of dementia. DESIGN AND METHODS: Clinical research nurses were trained to carry out evaluations for dementia in the home. We describe the assessment and training procedures used and note the advantages and drawbacks of this approach. RESULTS: Nurse identification of the presence of dementia agreed well with that of medical specialists (kappa = 0.84), but was slightly poorer regarding type of dementia (kappa = 0.71). IMPLICATIONS: Use of nurses for such activity need not be limited to epidemiological studies, but is relevant also in clinical practice.