ROOTED 2026 — September 17, 2026

Texas Takes on Falls Coalition
& Texas Healthy at Home Present

ROOTED

A Texas Summit on Falls Prevention,
Caregiving, & Living Well at Home

Because falls prevention isn't just about preventing falls. It's about helping people remain safe, independent, connected, and rooted in the places and communities they call home.

Date

September 16–17, 2026

Summit: Sept 17, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Venue

Hurst Conference Center

Location

Hurst, TX (DFW Metroplex)

Mary's Story

Mary is a Texas grandmother who fell four months ago. Her daughter Christina—a trained falls prevention professional—became her caregiver. Their story reflects the experiences of thousands of Texas families. Every session connects back to what happened. And what could have been different.

"A fall doesn't just affect the person on the floor—it affects everyone who helps them get back up."

Your Story Belongs Here Too

Throughout the day, attendees add their own stories, reflections, and reasons for showing up.

Some will write about a parent.
Some will write about a patient.
Some will write about a fall that changed everything.
Others will write about the moment they realized they couldn't do it alone.

Five chapters · one story

A day that unfolds as a narrative

Before the Fall

Understanding risk, environment, and the life that precedes the moment.

The Fall

What happens in the moment—and the systems that respond.

III

Recovery

Rehabilitation, caregiving, and the emotional terrain of healing.

Coming Home

Navigating independence, safety, and belonging in familiar spaces.

The Future

Coalition building, policy, and the community priorities that shape what's next.

The Living Wall

Write your story on a colored origami piece. Record a Story Booth audio clip. Your voice becomes part of a community installation that grows throughout the summit and travels into Falls Prevention Awareness Week events across Texas.

What to expect

Built for everyone who shows up

Featured speakers

Carol Zernial

WellMed Charitable Foundation · Senior VP Social Responsibility & Foundation Executive Director

A nationally recognized gerontologist, Carol has shaped aging policy at every level—from White House Conferences to the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council. She brings 25+ years of systems-level perspective to what it means to keep older Texans safe at home.

Dr. Marcia Ory

Texas A&M School of Public Health

Regents Professor and founding director of the Center for Population Health and Aging. Dr. Ory spent 20 years leading Social Science Research on Aging at the NIH—bridging the science of why people fall with the community programs that can change it.

Dr. Matthew Smith

Indiana University School of Public Health

Director of the Center for Health by Design. Dr. Smith has devoted his career to translating evidence-based programs into real-world solutions for older adults, with particular focus on social connection as a driver of healthy aging and fall prevention.

CEU Credits

Accredited continuing education for licensed professionals. License types and credit hours to be confirmed.

The Living Wall

Write your story on a colored origami piece. Record a Story Booth audio clip. Your voice becomes part of the installation.

Gentle Morning Yoga (Optional Add-on)

45-minute guided session before the summit begins. All levels welcome, mat provided. In partnership with Bikram Yoga North Texas.

Become Part of the Solution

Closing session with coalition discussions and a community priorities vote.

Community Impact Fund

Every dollar supports falls prevention, caregiving, and healthy aging programs across Texas.

Multi-generational family embracing at home

Who attends

For anyone helping older adults stay safe, independent, and connected.

Healthcare professionals

OTs, PTs, nurses, social workers

Family caregivers & PCAs

Coalition members

Nonprofit staff

Wellness practitioners

Older adults & community members

Registration

Early bird pricing through August 31

Choose the tier that describes how you're showing up. Both in-person and virtual options available.

Who	Early Bird	Regular
Professional (In-Person)	$75	$100
Professional (Virtual)	$50	$65
Caregiver & Community (In-Person)	$35	$45
Caregiver & Community (Virtual)	$25	$35

Paying by organizational invoice? Email finance@texashealthyathome.org before registering.

Optional Add-On

Gentle Morning Yoga (Optional Experience)

September 17 · Before the summit begins

45-minute guided session · Certified instructor · Mat provided
All levels welcome — no experience required
In partnership with Bikram Yoga North Texas

$15

Scholarships available by request on an as-needed basis. Contact H.Gilbert@texashealthyathome.org to request an application.

Coalition Leadership Pre-Summit Reception

September 16 (Summit Eve) · By invitation only · Come-and-go · 5:30–7:00 PM

ROOTED kicks off Falls Prevention Awareness Week.

National observance

Falls Prevention Awareness Week · September 21–25, 2026

The ROOTED Summit on September 17 opens a week of statewide action. Coalition members and community partners across Texas host local falls prevention events, walks, screenings, and community gatherings. Together, it becomes a statewide movement with a single coordinated message.

Sept 17

ROOTED Summit — statewide gathering in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Sept 21–26

Coalition members host local events across Texas—walks, screenings, community programs.

All week

Coordinated messaging, shared resources, and one voice for falls prevention statewide.

"You don't have to start a coalition. You can start a walk."

Coalition members: Submit your local Falls Prevention Week events at texashealthyathome.org—your event will be listed on the statewide community map.