Imagine Your Aging Loved One
Picture a parent or grandparent living in Lakeland—maybe recently retired, maybe living alone, maybe wanting to stay engaged with the community but unsure where to start. Now imagine everyone aging in our city feels the same.
That’s where the Lakeland Senior Hub will come in. It won’t just be a place to get answers about Medicare or transportation—it will be a warm, welcoming space where older adults and their caregivers can find both resources and real human connection. A place to belong, to participate, and to thrive.
1. A Growing Population of Older Adults
- One in three people in Lakeland (city and Polk County) is 55 or older.
- Lakeland City has roughly 37,000 residents aged 55+ (~33% of the population)
- Polk County totals around 241,000 residents aged 55+ (~32%)
- More than 20% of Lakeland residents are 65+, compared with ~17% nationally and ~21–22% statewide.
- Oldest-old (85+) numbers are rising: 3.7% in the city and 2.2% in Polk County—higher than national averages.
Our community is aging fast—and those aging-in-place need services, connection, and care.
2. Fragmented Services, Unmet Needs
- Right now, seniors rely on scattered programs—like exercise or Medicare help—through places like Rath Center, home visits, Facebook groups, or county services. Nothing is centralized.
- That creates confusion: “Even people who’ve lived here their whole lives don’t know what’s available,” as longtime volunteer Charlie Burdette from Rath points out.
- Seniors often feel isolated, missing rides or companionship. Loneliness can contribute to health risks like stroke or dementia.
- In 2024, the City of Lakeland pledged $100,000 toward a Senior Hub if the community matches it.
3. Why We Need a Dedicated, Central Hub
- Centralized resource navigation. One stop to ask questions about Medicare, housing, transportation, or caregiver support.
- Social engagement & wellness. A physical space for fitness, classes, tech help, gardening, music—so seniors aren’t stuck at home.
- Proven model. The hub-and-spoke structure is gaining traction across the country—and it’s being promoted by the National Institute of Senior Centers as a smart, scalable way to reach more older adults.
- Supports families and caregivers. A hub takes stress off caregivers by offering resources and community—not to mention a place for aging adults to age with dignity.
4. Caregiver Perspective: Why the Time Is Now
From the team behind Lakeland Senior Hub:
- We’ve seen families struggle to find help when they needed assistance understanding bills or accessing transportation.
- We know how isolation chips away at confidence, health, and purpose.
- A hub won’t just serve older adults—it will support caregivers, too. One central place to find resources and community can ease the caregiving journey for so many.
5. This Is Our Moment
- The city has put $100K on the table. Across town, residents and caregivers (that’s you!) are stepping up, fundraising alongside Rath and other partners.
- Age-Friendly Lakeland found 90% of residents want to stay here as they age—but more than half don’t know what resources exist. A hub would literally save us from being invisible.
6. What You Can Do
- Donate or fundraise to unlock the city’s $100K match.
- Volunteer to help as we work to make Lakeland Senior Hub a reality.
- Spread the word—tell older family members, neighbors, or your local service clubs.
- Advocate: contact city commissioners and leadership and let them know you support matching funding and expansion of senior services.
Closing: We All Deserve to Age with Connection
Lakeland Senior Hub isn’t just another nonprofit—it’s the answer to questions like:
- “Where can dad learn to use Zoom?”
- “Is there a place near me that offers guidance for senior services?”
- “Who can help Mom navigate Medicare or drive her to the grocery store?”
We’ve got the demographics, we’ve got the need, and we’ve got the momentum. Now we need a shared space—open to everyone—to help us grow older together, not alone.
