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Carolina Village's 'Falls Festival' to be showcased at national conference

Aleen Dailey demonstrates how to use the Biodex balance machine while Sara Fink supervises.

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 6, 2023

A fall prevention initiative developed by Carolina Village will be showcased at the International Council on Active Aging Conference and Expo in Anaheim, California, later this month.

The goal of the conference is to share successful ideas among retirement communities.

"Protect your gourd: Creating a large-scale fall reduction event" will be presented at the conference on Oct. 31. The presentation will detail the award-winning large-scale fall reduction festival that took place at Carolina Village last November.

The interdisciplinary initiative was created by Carolina Village Wellness Coordinator Aleen Dailey, Director of Therapy Sara Fink and Resident Nurse Savannah Tadlock. It started as an idea to get residents excited about classes and services already offered at Carolina Village. The ultimate goals, however, were to enhance residents’ quality of life and to prevent falls. It morphed into a week-long “Falls Festival” that incorporated wellness, therapy, nursing, dining services and external community partners, such as the Council on Aging. In addition to attending more than 20 workshops, lectures, lunch-and-learns and social events over the course of the week, festival attendees played cornhole, went on a Park Stroll, ate lunches designed specifically to promote bone health and more.

“The selection committee was extremely selective in choosing presenters from many talented professionals who submitted proposals for our consideration,” said Julie Milner, ICAA chief operating officer.

The ICAA conference focuses on educating professionals in retirement, assisted living, rehabilitation, wellness, fitness and recreation fields.

“We are very proud and honored that Aleen, Sara and Savannah were selected to present at the ICAA conference,” Carolina Village CEO Kevin Parries said. “It’s wonderful to see others recognize their dedication and commitment to keeping residents active and healthy. I’m sure other communities will be inspired by the work they’ve been doing here.”

The Falls Festival initiative in May received LeadingAge North Carolina’s 2023 Excellence in Innovation award in May. Carolina Village is planning an even more robust festival Nov. 13-17 when Dailey will present “Power Training: Can It Work in a Group Fitness Setting?"