News - September 20, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2019

Contact: Lindsay Hutter | 703.824.1109 | lhutter@goodwinliving.org

Goodwin House Reaches Goal: 100% of Staff Are Dementia Friends

Regional Senior Living Organization is Only 2nd in Virginia to have Full Workforce Designated as Dementia Friends

Alexandria, VA – As the number of Virginians with dementia grows, Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) has taken a dramatic step to expand the dementia friendly environment across its organization. GHI has worked with every one of its more than 900 employees to ensure they have completed the information sessions to become Dementia Friends. GHI is now among only two senior living organizations in the Commonwealth of Virginia that can verify that every employee is a Dementia Friend.

“Nearly 140,000 Virginians currently live with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to grow by more than 35% over the next six years,” said Rob Liebreich, GHI President and CEO. “The more we do today to build awareness for dementia, the more we help families who are themselves living with it. By fostering a deeper understanding of dementia across our region, we are uniting entire communities to support those living with dementia as well as their families and care givers.”

As a premier Northern Virginia senior living and care organization, Goodwin House touches the lives of nearly 1,200 older adults who reside in its life plan communities as well as older adults who age in place in their homes. Goodwin House initiatives to build awareness for dementia also include a wide range of education sessions for residents and family members.

Launched by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom and underway in the United States, the Dementia Friends initiative strives to “change people’s perceptions of dementia” and transform the way communities and nations think, act and talk about the condition. Citizens can become Dementia Friends by completing an online information session and committing to action to build awareness for dementia at https://dementiafriendsusa.org/become-a-dementia-friend.

About GHI

Celebrating 52 years of providing exceptional service to older adults, Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) is a nonprofit Virginia-based corporation affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Today, the strength of GHI begins with its clear statements of mission, vision and values, the stability and integrity of its boards and executive leadership and its reputation as a trusted partner and innovator in reimagining aging.

The growing family of GHI senior living communities and services owned and operated across Northern Virginia includes: two Life Plan Communities—Goodwin House Alexandria in Alexandria’s West End and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads in Falls Church, Fairfax County; an innovative living at home life care and services program—Goodwin House at Home; a Medicare certified Palliative Care and Hospice program available to adults throughout Northern Virginia; and the Goodwin House Small House Living and Health Care Center with progressive models of long-term care, skilled nursing and memory care. GHI also is the management agent for The Lewinsville Retirement Residences, Inc. serving low-income older adults in McLean and Great Falls, Virginia. GHI 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 well-being and vibrant living as we age.