News - March 30, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2021

CONTACT:  Martha Serna | 202-518-6493 | martha.serna@finnpartners.com

Goodwin House Incorporated and Village to Village Network, Inc. Partner to Expand StrongerMemory Program to Thousands of Older Adults

Alexandria, Va. – Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) and Village to Village Network, Inc. announced a nationwide partnership to bring the StrongerMemory by Goodwin House program to members of the Village to Village Network (VtVN). Village to Village Network is a membership-driven organization that brings Villages together to provide support and care for 40,000 older adults, including access to health and wellness programs and educational activities. GHI is a senior living and health care services organization that serves more than 2,000 older adults in the National Capital region. On March 30, Rob Liebreich, President and CEO of GHI, will present StrongerMemory to the national Village to Village Network on a virtual webinar.

The StrongerMemory program from Goodwin House was created by Liebreich after observing his mother’s challenges with mild cognitive impairment. Inspired by a program that was being used with nursing care residents who had more advanced dementia, he developed and implemented StrongerMemory for those with mild cognitive impairment or early stage dementia. This program consists of simple activities practiced daily to engage the working memory and trigger brain activity in the prefrontal cortex by having participants spend just 20 to 30 minutes a day engaged in simple reading, writing and math activities, which research indicates might help stabilize or improve cognitive functions.

“After implementing these three daily brain health activities, my mother, my family and I saw significant changes for the better,” said Liebreich. “Sharing her story and watching the program unfold to help older adults at Goodwin House and Goodwin House at Home combat the impact of dementia has been rewarding. I look forward to helping many more older adults in our region and around the country thanks to our Village to Village Network partnership.”

“We are excited to introduce StrongerMemory to our member Villages. Historically, Villages have had great success with a wide variety of programs to enhance the lives of our older adults,” said Barbara Hughes Sullivan, Executive Director of VtVN. “This curriculum fits an incredible need for those adults with cognitive decline and gives new hope to caregivers.”

StrongerMemory is one of many programs that GHI has initiated as part of its commitment to innovative brain health programming for older adults. GHI has sensory rooms, music and art therapy programs in its two Virginia-based Life Plan Communities, Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads. GHI extends its brain health resources virtually through online programming and articles. The most recent GHI investment in brain health is the creation of a new role in the organization: Brain Health Program Manager. Certified Dementia Practitioner Jessica Fredericksen joined Goodwin House in February and in this new role will lead GHI towards its goal to touch the lives of 100,000 older adults through StrongerMemory by 2023.

For additional information on the StrongerMemory program, please visit https://www.goodwinliving.org/stronger-memory/.

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About Goodwin House Incorporated: Celebrating more than 50 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 Village to Village Network: Founded in 2009, Village to Village Network is transforming the experience of aging by helping to establish, sustain and advocate for a thriving network of Villages. We serve as a “Village commons” and resource for our members – nonprofit volunteer- and community-driven organizations that serve older adults so they may remain in their homes and live healthier, happier lives with continuing connections to their communities.  www.vtvnetwork.org.