FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2026
CONTACT: Mary Maude Davis | 615.780.3373 | MaryMaude.Davis@FinnPartners.com
StrongerMemory workbooks now available in seven languages at no cost
Alexandria, Va. — Through a partnership with SHAPE the Future of Aging that launched in 2024, Fairfax County and Goodwin Living™ have expanded access to brain health for older adults and caregivers by translating the StrongerMemory program into five new languages. The StrongerMemory workbook is now available in seven languages at no cost at StrongerMemory.org: English, Spanish, Farsi, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) and Amharic.
The initiative supports the Personal Well-Being goals of SHAPE, Fairfax County’s strategic plan to make the region a better place to age by improving services, accessibility and inclusion for all those living with mild cognitive decline. Adopted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2023, SHAPE is uplifting the lives of thousands of older adults in the County. The StrongerMemory translations are expanding that outreach by removing language barriers to wellness, making it possible for more people to benefit from daily brain health exercises shown to improve focus and memory.
“I’m thrilled to see the launch of the StrongerMemory program at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, other Goodwin Living retirement communities and across Fairfax County’s senior centers. Mason District is home to the county’s largest population of older adults, and programs like this are a meaningful investment in our community—helping residents of all ages live fuller, more connected lives,” said Fairfax County Board Supervisor Andres Jimenez, Mason District. “I’m especially proud that this program reflects the diversity of our neighborhoods, with resources and translations that make it accessible to everyone. It’s inspiring to hear that participants are eager to continue even after the initial 12 weeks, showing the real impact these sessions are having on our seniors’ wellbeing.”
“StrongerMemory continues to grow because of partners who share our belief that brain health should be accessible to everyone,” said Jessica Fredericksen, Sr. Director of Brain Health for Goodwin Living. “We are grateful to Fairfax County for helping us reach more older adults and caregivers in our diverse community.”
This partnership builds on research conducted by George Mason University that demonstrated measurable benefits for older adults who practice StrongerMemory. Across three published studies, participants showed improvements in memory, focus and a greater social connection with others. Between 2024 and 2025, researchers from George Mason University’s Department of Social Work conducted a series of evaluations, including quantitative and qualitative analysis and a randomized controlled trial, to assess the StrongerMemory program. The studies examined whether the program’s daily activities could strengthen memory, attention and overall cognitive function among older adults.
Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services collaborated closely with Goodwin Living to guide translations and community rollout. Members of the SHAPE Personal Well-Being Committee, including Jessica Fredericksen and StrongerMemory Outreach Coordinator Theresa Mandela, lead the effort to introduce StrongerMemory in senior centers across the county.
Developed by Goodwin Living President and CEO Rob Liebreich, StrongerMemory is a simple 30-minute daily program that engages the brain through reading aloud, writing by hand and completing basic math exercises. The program stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and recall.
To access the complimentary multilingual workbooks or learn more about StrongerMemory, visit StrongerMemory.org. Thanks to generous donors to the Goodwin Living Foundation, the workbooks are available at no cost to anyone seeking to access them.
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About Goodwin Living™ (goodwinliving.org)
Goodwin Living™ touches the lives of thousands of people every day through its range of senior living communities in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., specialized health care services, community partnerships and philanthropic endeavors. With a mission to support, honor and uplift the lives of others (specifically older adults and those who care for them), Goodwin Living leads the way in expanding the places and ways we can all thrive and find purpose as we age. Older adults will discover options that meet them where they want to be, and those options are managed and provided by team members who represent more than 70 countries. Goodwin Living has been named a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for seven consecutive years and was recognized nationally as the #13 Top Workplace in the United States by USA Today in 2025. Get more information at GoodwinLiving.org or by following Goodwin Living on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
