Traditionally, the treatment of geriatric patients suffering from Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) has been characterized by non-therapeutic custodial care. To determine whether elderly clients with dementia can benefit from self-care skill training, and to compare their progress with clients without OBS, 30 clients of the Residential Aging Program in Florida (15 with OBS, 15 without OBS) participated in a behavioral training program to improve self-care skills. Following a 2-week baseline period, subjects were trained in deficit areas. During the training period, subjects were assessed weekly on the General Appearance Rating Scale. The subjects were divided into three groups: non-demented; high-scoring demented; and low-scoring demented. There was an overall difference between the groups, with low-scoring demented subjects scoring significantly below high-scoring demented or non-demented subjects. The analysis also indicated an effect of measurement period. The values for the two baseline weeks, after 1 month of training and at discharge did not differ from one another, but were both significantly lower than the 1-month and discharge scores, which did not differ. This pattern was similar for all three groups. A significant difference in length of training was found, with the non-demented subjects requiring an average of 4.4 weeks of training, the high-scoring demented requiring 7.4 weeks, and the low-scoring demented requiring 15.4 weeks. These findings suggest that individuals with mild to moderate dementia are capable of modest rehabilitation of self-care skills. (BL)