Al and Barbara Grant

Al and Barbara Grant, of West Boca Raton, have been generously volunteering one day a week at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center for three years.

The Memory and Wellness Center, located on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus, offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, the Grants enjoy volunteering for different organizations and taking cruises. They volunteer in the dementia-specific Adult Day Center of the Memory and Wellness Center.

Al’s mother suffered from dementia, so he holds a special place in his heart for the people with whom he interacts at the Center. He helps serve lunch, cleans, shoots pool with participants, and has recently taken to reading short stories and poems to the group.

During a recent group session, Al read a short story about World War II, which hit close to home for many of the participants.

Barbara helps with yoga classes, registration, lunch service, and maintains a library at the Center. “We love to give because we get so much back,” said Barbara.

Heather Jurist

Volunteer Heather Jurist has been volunteering at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center for two and a half years.

She dedicates four full days each week to the Center assisting the main office manager of the memory disorder diagnostic clinic. Duties range from scheduling rooms and appointments to editing documents and answering the Center’s busy phone line. Watching her multitask with multiple phone lines ringing and people standing at her desk you know you are watching a retired professional!

Originally from New Jersey, Heather moved to Florida as a child. She was a teacher for 14 years and worked at IBM’s Boca Raton facility for eight years.

“I have learned so much about the mind from working at the Memory and Wellness Center,” said Heather. “And, I really enjoy working with such a caring and outstanding staff.”

The Memory and Wellness Center, located on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus, offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Anna Lisa Curtis

Currently a student at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Anna Lisa Curtis is studying psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience and multimedia communications. She has been volunteering at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center for the past year and ties her volunteer work into her studies by facilitating group discussions at the Day Center and using multimedia presentations to stimulate conversation.

The Memory and Wellness Center, located on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

The Day Center is an active environment with frequent parties. For cognitive stimulation, Anna Lisa devised an activity that enabled the group to participate in the planning and organizing of a St. Patrick’s Day party. She prompted the participants with questions such as “What are the reasons that we would organize such a party?” and “What would you bring to a potluck?” Not only are participants are challenged to use cognitive skills, but they can reminisce and socialize at the same time.

Originally from Los Angeles, Anna Lisa has lived in Boca Raton for 13 years and plans to graduate from FAU in 2010.

“I love being able to identify with the people and I learn a great deal from them,” said Anna Lisa.