2026-2027 Speaker Series

Live Safe, Healthy, and Smart 

Our purpose is to provide services and support to St. James' residents to enhance your ability to make 'aging in place' a reality. Each year NEST supports that goal with current topics the community will find valuable and interesting.  This year’s topics include:  The Market Outlook Now Through 2027; Six Pillars of Brain Health; Scams: What to Watch For and How to Handle It; Fall Proof Your Life; and, Signs of Aging - What's Normal? We have a great lineup of speakers this year who are knowledgeable in their respective topics. Please join us for another exciting NEST Speaker series! All programs will be held at the Homer E. Wright Event Center and are open to all St. James residents.

Fall Proof Your Life

Tuesday, January 19, 2027 - 3:00-4:30 pm

Speaker: Mary Beth Dziubinski 

Fall prevention matters across all ages, especially when we notice subtle changes in balance, strength, and reaction time begin to emerge. The fear of falling creates a dangerous cycle. Anxiety creates fall risk by causing tension in the body, changing the gait and avoidance of performing strengthening activities. Small changes like strengthening ankles, practicing mindful walking, reviewing medications can create a safer environment.  Fall prevention is not about limiting your life but building confidence and expanding your options.

Key learning objectives include:

• Learn techniques and strategies on how to avoid a fall and stay safe on your feet
• Review evidenced based data on what causes a fall and how the loss of flexibility effects a fall
• Review and completion of a fall efficacy scale assessment

It’s never too late to learn how to make changes that will help you avoid a devastating fall. Our speaker, MaryBeth Dziubinski of Active Aging Solutions, will provide concrete ideas to help you stay safe and on your feet.

Location:  Homer E. Wright Event Center

Date:  Tuesday, January 19, 2027

Time: 3:00 to 4:30 pm, including a question and answer session

Please plan to arrive a few minutes early such that the program can begin on time. The program is FREE to attend, but we strongly suggest you pre-register due to limited seating capacity, in order to ensure you are able to participate.

Please register by clicking on the Registration button, or via the Help Desk at (910)250-8388. Registration closes on January 18th at 12 noon.

In case you cannot attend, following each event, the materials and recording of the presentation will be posted on the 2026-2027 Speaker Series page, under the Events tab on the website.