Increasing independent use of activity materials and extending high rates of meaningful interaction amongst the institutionalised elderly. Stephen Michael Gallagher and Michael Keenan University of Ulster at Coleraine, Northern Ireland. This research demonstrates that it is possible to introduce economical and effective behavioural intervention programs into a long term care setting for the elderly without disrupting the physical environment and nursing routine of the institution. Study One aimed to extend periods of high frequency meaningful interaction. Focusing on environmental and social contingencies, residents were invited to participate in a specifically designed activity in a location already sustaining periods of high frequency meaningful interaction. Using an A-B-A-B design it was found that already high frequencies of meaningful interaction occurring at mealtimes could be extended by up to 90 minutes with the introduction of a table quiz. In Study Two a lottery was implemented to encourage the elderly residents to use activity materials any time they wished, independently of staff intervention and the routine of the institution. During baseline there were minimal levels of independent use of activity materials by the residents. Various conditions were implemented but only the introduction of a £20 lottery prize brought about a significant increase in the frequency of the target behaviour. A follow up suggested that the reinforcing properties of the activity materials themselves were able to maintain the target behaviour at a substantial rate. Keywords: gerontology, institution, interaction, independence.

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