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When residents at Harbor’s Edge gathered for Falls Prevention Week this summer, they weren’t just listening to a lecture. They were learning how to reclaim confidence, sharing their own stories of near misses and injuries, and even practicing safe ways to recover from a fall.

The weeklong program began with a talk by Brittany Samulski, DPT, Ph.D., assistant professor for  Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at 51�鱨վ. Her session, “Taking the Fear Out of Falling,” combined practical strategies with open conversation. Residents asked questions, swapped experiences and left with a toolkit of techniques designed to keep them steady on their feet.

To close the week, Harbor’s Edge residents stepped into the future of rehabilitation at 51�鱨վ. Touring the Faschini-Wallach Center for Restorative Therapies at 51�鱨վ, they walked across a state-of-the-art gait mat, tried a body weight support system designed for balance recovery, tested their reaction times and challenged their stability on the Balance Master technology. For many, it was their first time experiencing how cutting-edge rehabilitation research directly translates into care that could one day help them or someone they love live more safely.

The event was powered by teamwork. Faculty leaders Lisa Koperna, Ph.D., Mira Mariano, Ph.D., and clinical instructor Jacquelyn Moxey walked residents through each stop on the tour, showing how classroom learning, research and community care all come together at 51�鱨վ.

“This is exactly the kind of work that shows how 51�鱨վ and the School of Rehabilitation Sciences uniquely integrate research, practice and community engagement,” said Patricia Laverdure, O.T.D, chair of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.

The partnership is continuing this September with new programming in recognition of National Falls Prevention Awareness Month.

The collaboration reflects a growing need: falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, yet prevention strategies remain underused. By bringing research into the community and inviting the community into the lab, 51�鱨վ is reshaping how Hampton Roads approaches healthy aging.