Videogame ‘therapy’ targets nursing homes across Germany

Residents in a German home for the elderly are testing out a new therepeutic console called the MemoreBox, aimed at improving memory and mobility. Photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa

Seniors at 100 elderly care facilities throughout Germany will soon have videogames on their weekly schedule besides the normal singalongs and communal cooking. Specially developed for older adults, the games are said to improve memory, mobility and even life satisfaction. 

A videogame console made by Hamburg software company Retrobrain R&D is set to be installed across Germany, following a successful test phase. A public health insurance company is paying for this device, called MemoreBox, to be installed in homes for the elderly, as well as for an evaluation of its impact.