Rath Senior Connextions and Education Center

Thank you to our panel of Senior Housing experts for the informative discussion of local resources during June Educational Meeting: Senior Housing Resources

What a great turn-out today! We appreciate all the first time attendees and continued supporters

Reminder: NO JULY Educational Meeting

9:00 AM, Tuesday, June 9, 2026
June Educational Meeting: Senior Housing Resources

The Road Home: Senior Housing Resources

Join us for a candid conversation for seniors, caregivers, and community professionals with education and local resources related to senior housing options and senior homelessness.

This informative and compassionate program will feature expert speakers from senior living, affordable housing, and The Talbot House.

Everyone will leave with practical tools, local contacts, and a better understanding of available pathways to safe, stable, and supportive housing for older adults in our community.

This meeting will be held at the Rath office located at College Heights United Methodist Church, 934 South Boulevard, Lakeland.

💙✨ WITH GRATITUDE… THANK YOU ✨💙

As we reflect on the incredible success of the 11th Annual Rath Senior Summit, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the many people who helped make this event possible.

👏 Thank you to our dedicated:
💡 Summit Planning Committee
💙 Rath Board of Directors
🤝 Rath Advisory Council
🙌 Volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and throughout the day
🗣️ Sponsors and exhibitors for supporting our community

Your passion, hard work, and commitment to serving older adults and our community created a day filled with learning, connection, laughter, and inspiration.

🎹 A very special thank you to Donna for sharing her musical talents on piano during lunch

✨ It truly takes a village—and we are so grateful for each person who gave their time, energy, and heart to make this event meaningful for so many.

THANK YOU for helping us empower our community to age stronger, wiser, and more connected together. 💙

💙✨ THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE RATH SENIOR SUMMIT 2026 SPEAKERS ✨💙

The 11th Annual Rath Senior Summit was an inspiring day of education, connection, and empowerment—and we are so grateful to our amazing panel of speakers for sharing their time, knowledge, and passion with our community.

👏 Thank you to:

🧠 Dr. Lindsey Hastings-Spaine, MD
💊 Shannon Lyons, PharmD
🗣️ Kimberly Ochs-Reynolds, M.S., CCC-SLP
❤️ Mari Adams, MSN-Ed., BSN, RN, CHPN
💙 Dr. Rosemarie, PhD, APRN

🧘 And shared smiles during Laughter Yoga with Oscar Lewis from Empath Health!


Your insight, expertise, and compassion helped make this summit meaningful for older adults, caregivers, families, and professionals throughout our community.

✨ From conversations on healthy aging and medication safety to therapy, planning, addiction awareness, and the power of community—your presentations sparked learning, connection, and inspiration.

THANK YOU for helping us empower others to live healthier, more informed, and more connected lives. 💙

I love working with Aging Life Care Professionals Because…
Our friends at Senior Helpers - Polk County, FL shared several sentiments:
💚 We collaborate to support the client AND the family caregiver.
💚 Aging Life Care Professionals bring CALM to chaos.
💚 They help us do what we do BEST even BETTER!
💚 They trust us to bring their care plan to life.
💚 They share our vision ➡️ better care, better quality of life!

Aging Life Care Association
Aging Life Care Association Florida Chapter

What a great community event. Looking forward to seeing everyone May 30!

Hurricane season is almost here, and now is the time to prepare! 🌪️

Join the , , , and many incredible community partners for the 2026 Lakeland Hurricane Expo on Saturday, May 30 from 10 AM–2 PM at the RP Funding Center.

This FREE community event for ALL ages will feature:
• 50+ vendors and preparedness resources
• Expert presentations and panel discussions
• Tips for seniors, families, and pets
• Emergency planning information
• Activities for children
• FREE hurricane kits while supplies last
• Raffle giveaways including a Firman generator and EcoFlow Power Station

Featured speakers include meteorologists (ABC Action News Tampa Bay) and Kyle Hanson (Spectrum Bay News 9), a presentation from , along with -Dr. Tracy Fanara and hurricane preparedness panel (City of Lakeland Emergency Manager- David Cox, experts with Polk County Emergency Management, elder care preparedness with Alzheimer’s Association- Jody Mathewson, and Rob Davis with . The expert panel will be moderated by Trinity Laurino of .

Come connect directly with emergency management officials, public safety leaders, medical preparedness experts, and community organizations dedicated to helping our community stay safe before, during, and after a storm.

Free parking available at the RP Funding Center.

A BIG THANK YOU to our Title Sponsor

💙✨ What a WONDERFUL day at the Rath Senior Summit 2026! ✨💙

From learning and laughter to meaningful conversations and new connections, our community came together for an unforgettable day of empowerment and healthy aging.

🤝 Attendees explored valuable resources from our amazing local vendors and community partners
🧠 Learned from inspiring speakers and breakout sessions
😊 Connected with peers, caregivers, professionals, and friends
🧘 And even shared smiles and stress relief, thanks to Laughter Yoga with Oscar Lewis from Empath Health!

🥗 A special THANK YOU to Lake Morton Senior Living for providing a delicious lunch

✨ The energy, engagement, and support throughout the summit reminded us how powerful community truly is.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make this event such a success!

Come see Rath and Denis Phillips on May 30th at RP Funding!

Get Storm-Ready at the Lakeland Hurricane Expo!

Join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the RP Funding Center (701 West Lime Street) for the FREE Lakeland Hurricane Expo. Hosted by the City of Lakeland, FL - Government, Age-Friendly Lakeland, United Way of Central Florida, and the RP Funding Center, this all-ages event is designed to help the community learn how to stay safe and prepared leading into hurricane season.

The event will feature guest speakers, expert panel discussions, local vendors offering free advice and resources, hands-on preparedness guidance, and activities for kids so the entire family can learn together. Attendees will also have the chance to receive hurricane preparedness kits and giveaways while supplies last.

Whether you’re building your first emergency plan or refreshing your storm supplies for the season, this event will help you get informed, prepared, and ready before severe weather arrives.

As we reflect on the 2026 Rath Senior Summit, we begin with gratitude for the generous sponsors who partnered with us in bringing this event to our community.

Thank you, Sponsors!

PLATINUM: Mortellaro Law, Home Instead, Lake Morton/Spring Haven Senior Living

GOLD: Better Living for Seniors(BLFS, Polk) Advent Health, Comfort Keepers, Oasis Senior Advisors, Scott Lake Health & Rehabilitation, and Senior Helpers

SILVER: Orlando Health/Watson Clinic, Helping Hand Nursing Services

BRONZE: Saving Grace Senior Consulting/Sunshine Home & Companion Care, Chapters Health/Cornerstone Good Shepard Hospice, Lake Gibson Village, Westminster Lakeland