News - October 18, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elizabeth Bement | 703.915.5830 | elizabeth.bement@finnpartners.com

Goodwin House Inc. Earns National Award for Unique Memory-Boosting Program for Older Adults

ALEXANDRIA, VA -– Goodwin House Inc. (GHI) has been recognized by Mather Institute with an honorable mention in its annual Promising Practices Award program. The Institute recognized nine organizations this year that strive to serve older adults by developing and implementing new and innovative practices to help older adults. GHI was selected based on its growing StrongerMemory brain health curriculum.

“The Promising Practices Award honors Goodwin House Inc. for its StrongerMemory program designed to improve cognitive skills in older adults with dementia,” said Cate O’Brien, PhD, AVP and Director, Mather Institute. “The awards honor true leaders in ideation and implementation. We hope these award-winning projects will serve as a catalyst for organizations across the country and around the world to spark innovation for their own programs.”

Launched by GHI in early 2020, StrongerMemory is designed to stimulate the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which governs the ability to retrieve memories. The program consists of a workbook with simple math, reading and writing exercises that participants should engage with daily. The program also includes weekly check-ins, some of which are now powered through a partnership with the Brain Exercise Initiative). Anyone can start the program by downloading their complimentary copy of StrongerMemory workbook or purchasing a printed copy from the website at StrongerMemory.com.

"We are honored to be recognized with a Promising Practices Award from Mather Institute," said Jessica Fredericksen, brain health program manager for GHI. "StrongerMemory is a non-medical option that anyone can engage with to better their brain health. As we hope to reach 100,000 people with the program, receiving this honor helps bring it to the attention of even more people. We're very excited about its growth and potential!”

A full complimentary report on the 2021 Promising Practices recipients and honorable mentions, Innovation at Work 2021 is available for download at MatherInstitute.com/promising. Nominations will open in March for the 2022 Promising Practices Awards, with a submission deadline in April.

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About Goodwin House Inc.

Celebrating 54 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, GHI serves 2,000 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 and Hospice.

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 Mather
Founded in 1941, Mather is a nondenominational not-for-profit organization based in Evanston, Illinois, that creates Ways to Age Well.^SM Mather Institute is its research area of service and serves as an award-winning resource for research and information about wellness, aging, trends in senior living, and successful aging service innovations. To learn more, find your way to mather.com.