Carilion Center for Healthy Aging

30/10/2026

Don't forget to “fall back!” 🍂 Daylight saving time ends this Sunday—set your clocks back 1 hour before bed Saturday night. A good night's rest is key to your health and well-being, so use the extra hour to recharge! 😴💙

29/10/2026

The cutest Halloween costumes come in the tiniest sizes!

Our littlest patients at Carilion Children’s NICU, our region's Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (Children's Miracle Network Southwest Virginia), are getting into the Halloween spirit! Thanks to our dedicated staff and Family Advisory Board, these tiny superheroes, dinosaurs, butterflies, and more are celebrating in handmade costumes created just for them.

These sweet moments bring a little extra joy to families spending the holiday in the hospital and help create memories they’ll cherish for years to come. A special thank you to Amy Hayden Photography for donating her time and talent to capture these precious moments for the fourth year!

24/10/2026

Blood clots have been in the headlines lately. Would you recognize the warning signs?

Blood clots can develop in different parts of the body, and knowing what to look for can help you seek care sooner.

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that often forms in the leg. Symptoms may include:
• Swelling in one leg
• Pain or tenderness that feels like a cramp
• Warmth or redness in the affected area

A pulmonary embolism (PE) happens when a blood clot travels to the lungs. Symptoms may include:
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain that worsens when breathing in
• A rapid heartbeat
• Lightheadedness or fainting

Blood clots can be life-threatening and require prompt medical treatment.

Learn more about blood clots and symptoms to watch for: https://bit.ly/4yCX4wK

23/10/2026

This Saturday, Oct. 24, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! Do you have unused or expired medications at home? Properly disposing of them can help prevent accidental harm and keep our communities safe.

Find a drop-off location near you to safely dispose of your unused prescription medications: https://bit.ly/41xOMrP

You can also safely dispose of unused medications year-round using the MedSafe kiosks at Carilion hospitals and retail pharmacies.

23/10/2026

A full-circle moment for one of our neurology residents!

Marc first discovered his passion for neuroscience through an undergraduate research fellowship in the neuroSURF program at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Now, years later, he's back in Southwest Virginia continuing his medical journey at Carilion.

We're proud to be part of his story and help train the next generation of physicians!

City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development

From groundbreaking neuroscience research to training the next generation of physicians, our region is making meaningful impact on the future of healthcare.

Meet Marc Morales, who discovered his passion for neuroscience through an undergraduate research fellowship in the neuroSURF program at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Years later, he’s back in our region as a neurology resident at Carilion Clinic, bringing his research experience full circle!

Programs like neuroSURF are vital to our region’s efforts to cultivate talent, advance innovation, and strengthen our growing life sciences ecosystem.

🔗 Read the full story to learn more about Marc’s journey: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/09/fralinbiomed_morales_neurosurf.html

22/10/2026

to the Roanoke Hospital nursery in 1925. 👶🏥

21/10/2026

Taking care of your breast health starts with understanding what you can control! 💗

While some breast cancer risk factors can't be changed, healthy habits can help lower your risk. Limiting alcohol, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight are all steps you can take. Long-term use of combined estrogen and progesterone therapy may also slightly increase your chances of developing breast cancer, so talk with your doctor about what's best for you.

Knowing your personal risk factors can help you make informed health choices and understand when to start screening.

Learn more about breast cancer prevention: https://bit.ly/49jF0yr

20/10/2026

A new chapter for healthcare in Botetourt County! We’ve broken ground on an expansion of our Daleville facility that will bring 24/7 emergency care and additional specialty services closer to home.

The 40,000-square-foot expansion will include a new emergency department and a multispecialty clinic, adding general surgery, orthopaedics, and cardiology to our existing OB/GYN, imaging, and primary care services.

The first floor will have an approximately 15,000-square-foot emergency department with dedicated parking and convenient walk-in access, while a nearly 13,000-square-foot multispecialty clinic will occupy the second floor. Both floors will also include space for future outpatient services, allowing us to continue responding to evolving community needs.

Our current practices will remain open throughout construction, which is expected to be completed in 2027.

We’re proud to invest in greater access for Daleville and Botetourt County by bringing primary care, specialty services, and emergency care together in one location.

18/10/2026

When you have a headache, sore muscles, or other pain, over-the-counter pain relievers can often help you feel better. But how do you know which one to take?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps reduce pain and fever. This makes it a good choice for headaches, toothaches, and general aches and pains.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is an NSAID. In addition to relieving pain and lowering fever, it also reduces inflammation. That makes it a good option for muscle aches, sprains, arthritis pain, and period cramps.

Naproxen (Aleve) is another NSAID. It works like ibuprofen but generally lasts longer. That can make it helpful for things like arthritis pain, period cramps, or muscle and joint pain.

The best choice often depends on the type of pain you have, your health history, and other medicines you take. Learn more about the best pain reliever for you: https://bit.ly/3U0E5xJ

17/10/2026

We were honored to welcome Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger to Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital.

During her visit, Governor Spanberger met with hospital leaders and staff, toured the facility, and learned firsthand about the challenges and successes of providing healthcare in rural communities.

Hospitals like ours play a vital role in helping patients access quality care close to home. From recruiting healthcare experts to meeting the evolving needs of our communities, the visit provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of strengthening rural healthcare across Virginia.

Thank you, Governor Spanberger, for taking the time to listen to our team and learn more about the work happening in Southwest Virginia.