HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 18, 2013 – Several psychology majors from High Point University recently volunteered at the fourth annual Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s National Memory Screening Day in High Point.

Sponsored by Cornerstone Memory and Aging Care Clinic and Cornerstone Behavioral Medicine in High Point, nine students along with Dr. Kimberly Wear, associate professor of psychology, helped screen adults from the community using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). The MOCA is designed to assess mild cognitive impairment.

“Students loved the one-on-one experience of assessing the clients,” Wear says. “The students were also present when the neuropsychologists explained the results to the clients. These types of situations are talked about in class, but many students commented that working with the individuals was quite different than what they expected.”

Psychology student Rachel Gilroy, a junior, says the memory screening event was unlike anything she could have learned in the classroom and gave her a great chance to look ahead to her future career as a psychologist.

“As my first time administering tests, I learned how to interact with patients, correctly administer an evaluation and received insight into the job of a neuropsychologist,” Gilroy says. “Having the opportunity to work with individuals with a variety of results taught me the range of patients that psychologists work with on a daily basis. I was able to apply the knowledge from my studies to real life situations; I’m grateful to have had such an opportunity.”

Students assisted Dr. Chester Haworth, neurologist; Dr. Adam McDermott and Dr. Karen Pollard, who both specialize in neuropsychology and behavioral medicine; and Dee Gibbs, nurse.