Your Story, Well Told: A Storytelling Workshop Series
Tuesdays | August 11- September 8 | 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Falls Prevention Week at Vivalon
September 22-25
This Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Vivalon is bringing our community together to learn, move, connect, and take steps toward greater strength, confidence, and independence.
Falls Prevention Week at Vivalon
September 22-25
This Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Vivalon is bringing our community together to learn, move, connect, and take steps toward greater strength, confidence, and independence.
What is Falls Prevention Awareness Week?
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is a national observance focused on raising awareness about falls among older adults and sharing practical ways to prevent them, because falls are not an inevitable part of aging.
Strength and balance exercises, medication reviews, home safety, vision and foot care, and other practical strategies can all help reduce fall risk.
This week, Vivalon is bringing together experts, instructors, community partners, and older adults to explore all of these pieces, from preventing a fall to recovering after one and continuing to live life with confidence.
Knowledge is Balance
A Community Conversation on Fall Risks, Recovery & Prevention
Tuesday | September 22 | 10:30 am–12:00 pm
Three local experts who see the impact of falls from different perspectives will explore what falls actually look like in our community:
- Bria Larson, MPH, Epidemiologist, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services
- Jason Hatfield, San Rafael Battalion Chief
- Jessica Lacanlale, MSN, RN, PHN, MarinHealth
Together, they’ll share what happens before, during, and after a fall and what our community can do to help prevent them.
Falls From the Front Lines
Four Perspectives on Prevention, Recovery & What Comes Next
Wednesday | September 23 | 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
A fall is rarely caused by just one thing. Health conditions, medications, vision, foot health, footwear, strength, balance, and the environment around us can all play a role.
For this special evening conversation, four Marin County medical experts will look at falls from four different perspectives and help us understand what we can do to reduce risk, rebuild confidence, and keep moving.
Meet the Panel
Kris Rebillot (Moderator)
Senior Director of Communications, Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Kris helps share the Buck’s research on healthy aging with the public and moderates the Institute’s popular Community Seminars.
Arlene Johnstone, PharmD
Director of Pharmacy at MarinHealth, bringing expertise in medication safety and its role in preventing falls.
Kyle Hoppes, PT, DPT, MHA
Director of Rehabilitation Services at MarinHealth, specializing in mobility, rehabilitation, and improving functional independence.
Dr. Catherine (Carie) Chin, MD
Board-certified geriatrician at Kaiser Permanente who focuses on helping older adults maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.
Dr. Yessika Woo-Lee, DPM
Podiatrist at MarinHealth with expertise in foot health, balance, gait, and mobility—key factors in preventing falls.
Help Make Every Step Matter
Every Step Matters is Vivalon’s commitment to helping older adults build the strength, balance, and confidence they need to stay independent and keep doing the things they love.
For Mimi, Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention and Qi Gong have become an important part of that journey. She recently wrote to Vivalon about what these classes mean to her and her classmates:
“They are where we regain strength we thought we had lost, where we rebuild confidence after falls or injuries, and where we find community, hope, and joy in movement again.”
Her experience is a reminder that fall prevention is about more than avoiding a fall. It’s about having the strength and confidence to keep moving through life on your own terms.
You can help more older adults take the next step toward strength, confidence, and independence.
Help Make Every Step Matter
Every Step Matters is Vivalon’s commitment to helping older adults build the strength, balance, and confidence they need to stay independent and keep doing the things they love.
For Mimi, Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention and Qi Gong have become an important part of that journey. She recently wrote to Vivalon about what these classes mean to her and her classmates:
“They are where we regain strength we thought we had lost, where we rebuild confidence after falls or injuries, and where we find community, hope, and joy in movement again.”
Her experience is a reminder that fall prevention is about more than avoiding a fall. It’s about having the strength and confidence to keep moving through life on your own terms.
You can help more older adults take the next step toward strength, confidence, and independence.
Stories of Strength & Confidence
For the people who participate in Vivalon’s programs, it isn’t just about exercises or learning how to avoid a fall.
Stories of Strength & Confidence
What does fall prevention look like in real life?
For the people who participate in Vivalon’s programs, it isn’t just about exercises or learning how to avoid a fall.
Falls Prevention Week Schedule
Whether you’re looking to improve your balance, build strength, learn how to make your home safer, or simply keep moving, there’s an opportunity for you.
Visit our Healthy Aging Campus to join FREE classes and activities all week long: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Tuesday | September 22
Knowledge is Balance : A Community Conversation on Fall Risks, Recovery, and Prevention
Tuesday | September 22 | 10:30 am-12:00 pm
Register here.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among older adults in the United States. What does that look like here in Marin?
Hear from three local experts who see the impact of falls firsthand:
- Bria Larson, MPH, Epidemiologist, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services
- Jason Hatfield, San Rafael Battalion Chief
- Jessica Lacanlale, MSN, RN, PHN, MarinHealth
Bria Larson will unveil findings from a three-year research and analysis project conducted in partnership with the County’s EMS Department. Her work looks at falls across Marin County, revealing who is falling, how often falls are happening, and what the local data can teach us about prevention.
Jason Hatfield will bring the first responder perspective, sharing what happens when a fall occurs and the fire department is called to respond. He’ll offer insights into emergency calls, response patterns, and what first responders see when they arrive at the scene.
Jessica Lacanlale will take us from the emergency response to the hospital, sharing data and insights from the patients who arrive after a fall. Her perspective will help illuminate which falls result in serious injury and what happens after an older adult enters the healthcare system.
Together, these three perspectives offer a rare look at the full picture of falls in Marin, from the data showing what is happening across our community, to the emergency response when a fall occurs, to the hospital experience that follows. The program will conclude with a live Q&A with the panelists.
The program will conclude with a live Q&A with the panelists.
Free and open to the public. Livestream available.
Register here.
Class Sampler: Try Something New. Find Your Strength.
Tuesday | September 22 | 1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Experience 30-minute class demonstrations, with introductions from instructors, sample activities and exercises, and time to ask questions.
Explore:
- Tai Chi & Qi Gong — Gentle movement to support balance, strength, flexibility, and confidence.
- Strength in Balance — Exercises designed to build strength and improve stability.
- A Matter of Balance — An evidence-based program focused on reducing fear of falling and increasing confidence.
- Senior Strength — Strength-building exercises designed to help older adults stay active and capable.
Registration is not required.
Wednesday | September 23
“Oops, to Up!” – A Fall Recovery Session
Wednesday | September 23 | 10:30 am-11:30 am
Register here.
What should you do if you fall? Join Krissy Waller, PT, DPT, a board-certified neurologic physical therapist, for a practical, hands-on session about recovering safely after a fall.
You’ll learn:
- Techniques for getting up after a fall
- Modifications for different mobility levels
- How to practice getting on and off the floor safely
- Ways to build confidence before you actually need these skills
This is an opportunity to practice with guidance in a safe environment—not wait until you’re on the floor to figure it out.
Fall Risk Assessments
Wednesday | September 23 | 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
A neurologic physical therapist will conduct individual fall risk assessments and gait testing to help identify balance, mobility, and walking challenges.
Understanding your individual risk can help you take steps toward earlier intervention, safer movement, and greater independence.
Registration required. Limited appointments available.
Schedule your appointment here.
Falls From the Front Line: Four Perspectives
Wednesday | September 23 | 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Register here.
Join four Marin County medical experts for an honest and illuminating conversation about fall prevention, moderated by Kris Rebillot, Director of Communications at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.
Together, they’ll explore fall prevention from multiple angles—from the pharmacy counter to the physical therapy clinic, from the feet up to the whole person.
Meet the panel:
Dr. Catherine (Carie) Chin, Geriatrician, Kaiser Permanente
How aging, chronic conditions, medications, and whole-person health can intersect to affect fall risk.
Arlene Johnstone, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy, MarinHealth
The often-overlooked role medications can play in balance, stability, and fall risk.
Dr. Yessika Woo-Lee, Podiatrist, MarinHealth
How foot health, footwear, and biomechanics affect the way we move.
Kyle Hoppes, PT, DPT, MHA, Director of Rehabilitation Services, MarinHealth
What physical rehabilitation can teach us about restoring balance, rebuilding confidence, and preventing the next fall.
Thursday | September 24
What’s New in Fall Prevention—and How Do I Use It?
Thursday | September 24 | 3:00 pm–4:30pm
Register here.
Technology is changing the way we think about fall prevention.
Join Ken Dickinson, Vivalon Instructor; Emily Steedman, Occupational Therapist and founder of 1011 Life Consulting and the Longevity Land Platform; and Shel Symonds, Chief Marketing Officer at Clairvoyant Networks and Theora Care to explore tools available today and innovations that could shape fall prevention in the future.
You’ll learn about practical technologies designed to support safer, more independent living—and have an opportunity to understand how these tools actually work and whether they might be useful for you.
Friday | September 25
Try the Y for a Day! At the Marin YMCA
Vivalon members, come discover a new place to move, strengthen, and stay active.
As part of Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Vivalon members can receive a complimentary day pass to the Marin YMCA and explore everything the Y has to offer.
Your day can include:
- A special aqua class focused on balance, strength, and fall prevention
- Senior Strength drop-in classes
- Other fitness classes offered throughout the day
- Time to explore the pool, fitness center, and other amenities
No YMCA membership required.
To receive your complimentary day pass, Vivalon members must attend Vivalon’s Fall Prevention event on Tuesday, September 22. We’ll provide the Friday class schedule and information about signing up at Tuesday’s event.
Classes are first come, first served, so come early, try a class (or two), and see what the Marin Y has to offer.
Thank You
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is made possible through funding from the County of Marin.
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