Goodwin Living Hosts Pickleball Tournament in Support of Alzheimer’s Association on the Longest Day

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Today, in recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Goodwin Living hosted a Pickleball Marathon as part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Longest Day” fundraising efforts at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads. The event supported the Alzheimer’s Association’s initiatives in expanding access to cognitive and dementia care.

Goodwin Living residents and Goodwin Living at Home members competed in the tournament, which took place from 8:00-10:00 am and then again from 4:30-6:30 pm. The morning event featured remarks from Senior Olympics Pickleball Gold Medalist Judy Aw from Falls Church, VA.

In addition to today’s Pickleball Tournament, Goodwin Living has launched a variety of brain health programs, activities, and initiatives during June in recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 150,000 Virginians currently live with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to increase by more than 26.7% by 2025. Over the past two years, Goodwin Living has expanded its strategic approach to brain health care to focus on preventative care and non-pharmaceutical solutions for older adults living with mild cognitive impairment.

“Over time, we began to recognize the need for access to care for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s, but the importance of trying to delay the need for care,” said Rob Liebreich, President and CEO of Goodwin Living. “Goodwin Living’s brain health programs during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month are important and inclusive steps to help older adults engage in fun and effective activities to sustain their cognitive health.”

In support of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, other events offered by Goodwin Living this month include Brain Health Expos and Melody Makers. On June 15, Goodwin Living hosted its first brain health expo at Goodwin House Alexandria (GHA), with another on June 16 at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC). The expos featured representatives for the Alzheimer’s Association and Insight Memory Care, and offered residents of GHA, GHBC, and Goodwin Living at Home members the opportunity to explore the internal and community resources available to support restorative brain care.

This month, partnering with Encore Creativity, Goodwin Living also launched the “Melody Makers,” a brain health chorale. The new program is geared to older adults with moderate and mild-stage dementia and those with significant brain change. Goodwin Living is the first senior living community to partner with Encore Creativity for Melody Makers, and the 8-week pilot program is being offered as weekly classes for residents at Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads.

“We are excited to offer a variety of events and programs that promote brain health this month as we continue to find ways to support the brain health needs of all older adults,” said Jessica Fredericksen, Brain Health Manager at Goodwin Living. “We believe wholeheartedly that given accessible resources and support systems, older adults can enjoy long and fulfilling lives.”

Goodwin Living is recognized as one of two senior living organizations in Virginia that has trained every employee to be a Dementia Friend. Nearly 1,000 Goodwin Living team members have completed in-person or online training sessions to become Dementia Friends.

Earlier this year, Goodwin Living launched a partnership with the Maryland Department of Aging to share its innovative brain health program, StrongerMemory, with older adults across the state. The program is currently being implemented in senior centers in Baltimore, Charles, Calvert, Cecil, Wicomico, St. Mary’s and Worcester counties. StrongerMemory also has an existing partnership with the Village to Village network, a national membership-driven organization that brings Villages together to provide support and care for 40,000 older adults. The StrongerMemory program material (English and Spanish versions), is available at no cost to anyone that wishes to obtain it and has been made possible through donations to the Goodwin Living Foundation. The program material can be downloaded directly from the Goodwin Living website.

For more information on Goodwin Living’s brain health programming and initiatives, visit www.GoodwinLiving.org.

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