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“I need to be able to smile and laugh again…to feel like my life will have value.”
Paula is a local senior who struggles with physical and mental health challenges resulting from several traumatic life events. In the past, she found purpose in volunteering, but it became more difficult to remain active as she got older. Staying home alone all day left her feeling isolated and depressed. She realized she needed help, but didn’t want to lose her independence.
The opening of a bright spot in south Bradenton was just what she needed: the Empath LIFE (Living Independently for the Elderly) Center.
Empath LIFE empowers adults aged 55+ to continue living at home while receiving extra care during the day. Participants have access to medical and specialty services, nutritious meals, therapies, and daily activities. Transportation is available, and a home safety review is provided that can result in important upgrades like grab bars or emergency call systems.
For Paula, the Center means social time with peers, regular health checkups, and dedicated staff who support her wellbeing. She shares meals and swaps stories with new friends. She enjoys quiet time at home some days, but it’s a comfort to know the Center is there when she needs it.
Empath LIFE follows the nationally recognized PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) model and is funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program offers a cost-effective, holistic approach that helps reduce hospitalizations and delays or avoids the need for nursing home placement.
This new resource wouldn’t exist without generous donor support through the Tidewell Foundation. Their investment helped make the Center a reality—bringing life-enhancing care to the area’s growing senior population. By 2030, nearly 40% of Sarasota County and 32% of Manatee County residents will be over the age of 65. Programs like Empath LIFE are helping to meet that need—providing care and connection for older adults while empowering them to live safely at home, and offering peace of mind for families.
Now enrolling! To learn more, visit tidewellfoundation.org/stratum-life-center or stop by the Center at 303 13th Avenue E. in Bradenton.