An electronic device for rehabilitation of senile dementia patients

Senile dementia patients are usually considered hopeless--incapable of learning or improving. There is hope for improvement in such patients, however, and certain techniques effective in enhancing alertness in other brain-damaged patients can be helpful to these patients. A simple, widely available electronic television game is used, and a special training technique was designed to teach the patients how to successfully play the game. The fascinating attraction of this game engages the patient's attention, and success in playing the game promotes alertness. The training method encourages the patient to succeed at the game and thereby enhances his interest in his surroundings and his competence and self-esteem.