Article by Amy Carlini, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2026 March)
A free workbook, available in seven languages, used by Fairfax County senior centers and more than 300 partner organizations, is helping older adults improve their brain health. Anyone who wants to keep their mind sharp or engage with loved ones who are experiencing early memory changes can download a digital version of the StrongerMemory workbook for free or order a printed copy for $17.50.
StrongerMemory is a program developed by Goodwin Living President and CEO Rob Liebreich to help individuals experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), early dementia symptoms or normal age-related memory concerns. Since its formal launch in 2020, program participants have shown measurable improvements in cognitive function, emotional well-being and social engagement. The program helps older adults engage their brains through reading aloud, writing by hand and completing basic math exercises to stimulate the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and recall. It only takes 30 minutes a day.
Now, through a partnership with SHAPE the Future of Aging (FairfaxCounty.gov/topics/shape-future-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 additional languages for a total of seven: 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.
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, Sr. Director of Brain Health for Goodwin Living, and StrongerMemory Outreach Coordinator Theresa Mandela, lead the effort to introduce StrongerMemory in senior centers across the county.
The StrongerMemory workbook is available in all seven languages at no cost at StrongerMemory.org. It’s fully supported through generous donations from the Goodwin Living Foundation to help as many people as possible on their brain health journey.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).