Our guest on this Living to 100 Club podcast discusses an innovative program developed in Japan, the Stronger Memory program. Independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. are now testing this program. Rob Liebriech is the CEO of Goodwin House in Virginia. Goodwin House is a multi-level senior living complex, incorporating residential, age in place, low income senior housing, hospice, and home health programs.
In 2011, Bob was introduced to an approach to stimulating the brain through reading, narrative writing, and basic numerical skills. Early findings showed this program to reduce or at least slow down decline in language and communication. Rob discusses how this program has helped residents at Goodwin House. These residents include those experiencing cognitive impairment. He also describes his collaboration with George Mason University and the Brain Exercise Initiative for more research on the effectiveness of this program. In addition, he presents stories of improved functioning with different people, including his mother. Further, he shares with us other program benefits that go beyond improvement in mental ability.
Mini Bio
Robert “Rob” Liebreich was appointed President and CEO of Goodwin House Incorporated in May 2019. His energy, compassion and creative drive, as well as his proven leadership in senior living, set him apart during a competitive six-month national search for the new Goodwin House CEO.
Prior to joining Goodwin House, Rob was the executive director of the Asbury Methodist Village (AMV). This is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Gaithersburg, MD. He has also held senior positions in marketing and operations for senior living organizations in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest.
Rob studied Business Administration and International Business and Marketing at Georgetown University. He holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Senior Care and Housing from Johns Hopkins University.
Items Mentioned for Our Listeners
Goodwin House’s Instruction Materials for Stronger Memory Program: GoodwinHouse.org/stronger-memory
Learning Centers in Japan: Saido Learning and Kumon Institute of Education