News - October 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 27, 2023

CONTACT:  Elizabeth Bement | 703.915.5830 | Elizabeth.Bement@FinnPartners.com

Encore Creativity for Older Adults Names Goodwin Living Partner of the Year

Alexandria, Va. – At its Annual Celebration Dinner on October 22, 2023, Encore Creativity for Older Adults (Encore) named Goodwin Living™ Partner of the Year. This award recognizes the longstanding partnership between Goodwin Living and Encore, as well as the joint creation and successful launch of a new Encore program geared toward those with moderate to late-stage dementia. Encore is the nation’s largest choral arts organization for adults ages 55 and over.

“The Partner of the Year award recognizes an organization that has shown an incredible spirit of collaboration, partnership and a commitment to furthering the collective efforts that Encore and our partners share,” said Joshua Vickery, Chief Executive Officer of Encore Creativity for Older Adults. “Encore Creativity thrives on partnerships and collaborations, and we are so grateful to Goodwin Living for the innovative, creative and life-changing programs we are able to create with them.”

In 2022, Encore collaborated with the Goodwin Living Brain Health department to create Melody Makers, a new concept for a music group designed for people living in memory care settings. The Melody Makers program pairs participants who are experiencing cognitive changes with independent living residents who serve as “ambassadors.” Together, they take part in musical activities and learn new songs.

“It takes more time, patience and repetition for someone with dementia to learn new things, yet they can learn new things,” emphasized Jessica Fredericksen, Director of Brain Health at Goodwin Living. “The partnership with independent living ambassadors has also reduced the stigma around aging and dementia because of the friendship and connections made through the Melody Makers program.”

“Goodwin Living is proud to partner with an organization that shares our mission to uplift the lives of older adults at every stage in their aging journey,” said Rob Liebreich, President and CEO of Goodwin Living. “We are grateful to Encore for honoring the partnership that has enriched the lives of countless older adults across decades of collaboration.”

In addition to Melody Makers and many other brain health resources made available to residents, the Goodwin Living Brain Health department manages StrongerMemory, a breakthrough program and broad-reaching effort designed to fight cognitive decline. The StrongerMemory workbook is available to older adults across the nation at no charge. Goodwin Living Brain Health programming is fully funded by the generosity of donors to the Goodwin Living Foundation.

In time, Encore hopes to expand the Melody Makers program to other participating organizations throughout the country. Goodwin Living looks forward to continuing its partnership with Encore and extending its offerings to more older adults throughout our organization.

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Encore Creativity for Older Adults is the nation’s largest choral arts organization for adults 55 and over. With over 40 ensembles (and growing!) nationwide, and over 1500 singers ages 55 to 99, Encore is a leading organization in the field of creative aging. Encore’s programs include traditional choral music performances, Encore ROCKS groups singing rock ‘n’ roll hits from the 50s and beyond, therapeutic Arts for Life programs for individuals with early- to mid-stage cognitive change and their care partners, and online Encore University classes to supplement our singers’ musical journeys.

About Goodwin Living™ (goodwinliving.org):  Goodwin Living™ touches the lives of thousands of people every day through its range of senior living communities, specialized healthcare services, community partnerships and philanthropic endeavors. With a mission to support, honor and uplift the lives of others (specifically older adults and those who care for them), Goodwin Living leads the way in expanding the places and ways we can all thrive and find purpose as we age. Older adults will discover options that meet them where they want to be, and those options are managed and provided by team members who represent more than 65 countries. Goodwin Living has been a Washington Post Top Workplace for five consecutive years and was named the #1 Top Workplace for 2023. Get more information at GoodwinLiving.org or by following Goodwin Living on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.