News - April 15, 2022

Contact: Emily Chavez

407.718.6609 | Emily.chavez@finnpartners.com

Goodwin House Inc. and Maryland Department of Aging Partner to Launch Innovative Brain Health Program for Older Adults in Maryland

StrongerMemory Program Kicks off at senior centers across Maryland

Alexandria, VA – This week, Goodwin House Inc. (GHI), a senior living and health care services organization in the National Capital Region, and the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA) announced the launch of StrongerMemory in senior centers across Maryland in a statewide partnership. StrongerMemory, an innovative brain health program for older adults, is initially launching in Baltimore, Charles, Calvert, Cecil, Wicomico, St. Mary’s and Worcester counties.

“We are very excited to provide the StrongerMemory Program through many of the senior centers throughout the state of Maryland. We encourage everyone to avail themselves of this exciting cognitive support program,” said Rona E. Kramer, Maryland Secretary of Aging.

“We are honored to launch the StrongerMemory program in senior centers across the state of Maryland,” said GHI President and CEO Rob Liebreich. “Sharing my mother’s story and progress using StrongerMemory, and watching the program unfold to help thousands of older adults combat the impact of dementia has been rewarding, and we are eager for this proven brain health tool to be available to older adults in Maryland.”

Designed to help older adults alleviate symptoms of mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia, StrongerMemory was created by Liebreich in 2011 after observing his mother’s challenges with mild cognitive impairment. The proven curriculum, which was implemented for GHI residents in January 2020, consists of simple activities practiced daily to engage the working memory and trigger brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. Research indicates that participants who spend just 20 to 30 minutes a day engaged in simple reading, writing and math activities can experience stabilized or improved cognitive functions.

According to Maryland’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, ten percent of Maryland adults aged 44 and older have experienced symptoms of cognitive decline and ten percent of Maryland adults over 65 are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. One third of Maryland adults reporting cognitive decline needed to give up day to day household activities or chores as a result of confusion or memory loss.

The StrongerMemory launch in Maryland and the provision of supporting materials for senior centers in Maryland is funded by an MDoA grant. The StrongerMemory program material, which is available at no cost to anyone that wishes to obtain it, has been made possible through donations to the Goodwin House Foundation. The program material can be downloaded directly from the GHI website at https://www.goodwinliving.org/stronger-memory/.

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About Goodwin House Incorporated: Celebrating 55 years of providing exceptional service to older adults, Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) is a not-for-profit, Virginia-based corporation affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Through its growing family of senior living and healthcare services owned and operated across Northern Virginia and in the District of Columbia, GHI serves 2,200 older adults with options that include: two Life Plan Communities—Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads; an innovative continuing care at home program—Goodwin House at Home; and a portfolio of healthcare services and partnerships delivering Home Health, Rehabilitation, Primary Care, Palliative Care, Hospice and Brain Health.

GHI also is the management agent for The Lewinsville Retirement Residences, Inc. serving low-income older adults in McLean and Great Falls, Virginia. GHI also advances its mission through the Goodwin House Foundation, a 501(c)(3) supporting foundation that provides financial support to current and future residents in need and to fund programs dedicated to promoting growth and education of staff as well as overall well-being and vibrant living as we age.

About The Maryland Department of Aging: The Maryland Department of Aging helps to establish Maryland as an attractive location for all older adults through vibrant communities and supportive services that offer the opportunity to live healthy and meaningful lives. For more information, visit aging.maryland.gov. Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/MarylandAging and https://www.facebook.com/MarylandAging.