An Abstract of the Thesis of Lynn L. Hall for the degree of Master of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences presented on April 8. 1996. Title: Video RespiteTM for Cognitively

Abstract approved: Signature redacted for privacy. Jan Hare Video Respite (\TR) is a series of videotapes designed to capture long-term memory and maintain the attention of patients with Alzheimer's Disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether yR viewing significantly affects the behavior of cognitively impaired nursing home residents. Specifically, repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were used to examine change in agitated and positive social behaviors over three time periods: pre-VR., during-yR. and post-VR. In addition, differences in behavioral effects were examined by facility, shift, and level of dementia. Only one VR video tape "Remembering When " was utilized in this study. Thirty-six cognitively impaired nursing home residents were observed for 21 minutes before VR, 21 minutes during \TR, and 21 minutes after yR viewing. Residents ' behaviors were recorded on a 15-item behavioral checklist developed from Corrigan's Agitated Behavior Checklist. Positive behaviors were found to increase during-\'R for all conditions. Cognitively impaired residents, regardless of nursing homeç shift, and level of dementia, responded to VR with increased positive behaviors. These results indicate that VR is a positive and meaningful activity for cognitively impaired residents in nursing homes, albeit the effect may be short-lived. Agitated behaviors, on the other hand, decreased for moderate to severely demented residents on day shift, and in certain nursing homes. On day shift agitation levels dropped during-yR viewing. The \TR tape appeared to be most beneficial in reducing agitation for moderately demented residents. Finally, agitation decreased during-yR viewing at the nursing home without a special care unit for cognitively impaired nursing home residents. Limitations of the current study and implications for future research are also addressed