News - September 15, 2021
FOR MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Elizabeth Bement | 703.915.5830 | elizabeth.bement@finnpartners.com
An estimated 10 million Americans experience mild cognitive decline
Alexandria, VA – Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI), a senior living and health care services organization in the National Capital Region, will host a press event on Friday, September 17 to recognize Northern Virginia’s effort to become dementia-friendly and launch a public service announcement featuring U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) focused on the brain health curriculum, StrongerMemory. Senator Warner is co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports 15% to 20% of those over age 65 have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – upwards of 10 million people in the United States – and that 38% of individuals with MCI develop dementia after five years. In Virginia, 150,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and 9.5% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
The press event will feature remarks from GHI President and CEO Rob Liebreich, creator of the StrongerMemory program; Dr. Cathy Tompkins, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at George Mason University who is currently conducting a study on StrongerMemory; and Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. In 2019, Alexandria became the first jurisdiction in Northern Virginia to be designated as a Dementia Friendly city. In addition to these presenters, an older adult that has participated in StrongerMemory will share his story about the ways it has sharpened his cognitive capabilities.
StrongerMemory was created by Mr. Liebreich in 2011 to help his mother, Wendy, fight against cognitive decline. 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.
With a goal to enhance the lives of more than 100,000 older adults, GHI is making StrongerMemory available at no cost. The entire curriculum can be downloaded on GHI’s website at https://www.goodwinliving.org/stronger-memory/.
When: Friday, September 17, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.
**Media check-in will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Goodwin House Alexandria Auditorium
4800 Fillmore Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311
Featured speakers:
*Corrected on 9/16/2021
RSVP: To secure your spot to attend and cover this event, please contact Elizabeth Bement, Elizabeth.bement@finnpartners.com; P: 703-915-5830
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About Goodwin House Incorporated: 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 StrongerMemory: StrongerMemory is a curriculum designed to stimulate the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which governs our ability to retrieve memories. Participants spend just 20 to 30 minutes a day engaged in simple reading, writing and math activities. The StrongerMemory program is currently available in a workbook of exercises and can be downloaded at no cost at: https://www.goodwinliving.org/stronger-memory/
StrongerMemory is available at no cost thanks to financial support from the Goodwin House Foundation.
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