Standing Strong: Fall Prevention for Your Aging Loved One

Colleen Duewel, MPH, CMC, CDP is the founder of LionHeart Eldercare & Consulting, an agency providing care management in Northern Virginia. Colleen has extensive experience as a certified geriatric care manager, Advanced Care Planner, certified dementia practitioner, Alzheimer’s Association trained Support Group Facilitator and Speaker, and nursing home ombudsman. Her extensive experience in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, mental health and hospice have prepared her to help families navigate the options and resources for aging well and care giving.

Jen Stahl PT, DPT CEEAA is currently a Senior Director of Rehabilitation with Powerback Rehabilitation. Jen graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009 from Ohio University and has spent her entire 15 years working with the geriatric population. Jen has taken an interest in Parkinson’s disease and fall prevention receiving certifications in LSVT BIG, PWR! and is a trainer for Matter of Balance and Sail which focuses on fall prevention. Within the Powerback organization she received a Master clinician in Geriatrics and continues to provide clinical instruction to students and serve as a PT mentor. When she is not working with residents to ensure they have the highest quality of mobility she enjoys hiking with her husband, 2-year-old son and German Shepherd, traveling across the US to visit with friends and family and rooting for Ohio State Football.  

Courtney Caton is the Trauma Program Director at VHC Health, a role she has held since September 2021. Before her tenure with VHC, Courtney gained extensive experience at Inova Health Systems, where she served from 2009. Her diverse roles at Inova included Clinical Technician, Emergency Department RN, Trauma Nurse Specialist, and later, Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Educator. With nearly 20 years of experience in emergency and trauma care, Courtney also contributed as an EMS provider earlier in her career, which ignited her passion for delivering care to critically ill or injured patients during the acute phase of resuscitation. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in trauma care, driven by a commitment to high-quality patient care and ensuring that staff are well-prepared and confident in managing complex cases. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and their fur children, which include four cats, three dogs, and two horses. She is also an avid enthusiast of outdoor adventures, travel, and Olympic Weightlifting, engaging actively with her weightlifting team at the gym. 

Captain Robert Bowen has been a Fire Fighter/Paramedic with Arlington County for 24 years, assigned to stations in both Arlington and the City of Falls Church. When performing field work, he serves as an Advanced Paramedic Officer and EMS Supervisor, along with other leadership roles. Currently, he is Arlington’s Community Risk Reduction Program Manager. In this role, he analyzes risk to better implement and manage fire and EMS prevention programs targeted to the needs of the community, such as falls prevention education.