The Evaluation of an Animal Assisted Therapy Intervention for Elders with Dementia in Long-Term Care
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
This study examined the effects of animal assisted therapy (AAT) on the social and agitated behaviors of elders with dementia residing in long-term care. A purposefully selected sample of four elders from one skilled nursing facility in a rural community participated in the study. Utilizing an A-B-A-B design, elders were videotaped for 15 minutes each day of the study and two coders tallied the presence and frequency of each of the designated behaviors for each elder. A statistically reliable difference in the social behavior category (t = -29.36, p < .0001) and the total agitated behaviors category (t = 7.05, p < .0001) indicated that the behaviors targeted by the intervention were successfully modified. This intervention demonstrates potential for increasing the quality of life for elders with dementia in long-term care facilities through increasing social and decreasing agitated behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract) |
| Publication Title | Activities, Adaptation & Aging |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 61-77 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 0192-47881544-4368 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| DOI | 10.1300/J016v30n01_04 |
| Author Address | Sellers, Debra M., Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University-Cascades , Bend, OR, US, 97701, debra.sellers@osucascades.edu |
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