A method on a computing device is provided for enhancing the memory and cognitive ability of an older adult by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and then designate the order in which the syllables were aurally presented. A number of trials are presented to the adult. As the adult correctly determines the syllable order in trials, the difficulty of the trials is increased by increasing the number of syllables presented, and by reducing the amount of processing that is applied to the syllables.