30 Years of Service to Davidson County

The Life Center of Davidson County, Inc. is very proud to be celebrating 30 years of providing exceptional day-time care to older and impaired adults in Davidson County.

The Life Center has many in the Davidson County community to thank for helping to establish this valuable resource for older and impaired adults and their caregivers. The L.I.F.E. Center, the organization, began as Lexington Interests For the Elderly. In July 1980 the L.I.F.E. center was located in the old Lexington Hospital, and was staffed by Director, Betty Pfeiler. In 1986, a steering committee chaired by Dr. Lee Dukes and including members Carol Hayes, A.F. McPhail, Judy King, as Secretary, Eddie Sheets, Arlene Pinnix-Morrow, J. C. Bernhardt, Eldon Roever, Bill Turlington, Sue Beck and Rosalind Baker, hired Jo Ellen (Banks) Edwards as Director. In July 1987 By-Laws were drafted and in 1988 Thompson Miller filed incorporation papers and the non-profit 501 (c) 3 status was granted in 1988.

Then in September 1988 the agency moved to 8 Franklin Street. In 1997 the Board of Directors, with Betty Allred serving as President, approved a proposal to purchase the former Printcraft Building located at 601 West Center Street. With the assistance of volunteers from Kimberly Clark, and with great help and support from many in the community, the building was gutted and rebuilt specifically as an adult day services center.

In 1998 The Life Center filed a proposal with the State of North Carolina, Department of Health and Human Services, to become a combination Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health Care Center. That conversion was approved that same year and nursing staff and health care assistants were added to the staff. The reconstruction and move to the new location, named the Etta and Henry Link Building, on West Center Street was completed in May of 2001. Ms. Edwards resigned her position in September, 2001. Norma Weisenant served as Interim Director until January, 2002 when Carolyn Sidwell, current Director, was hired.

The Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM providing nutritious meals, socialization for its senior participants and activities specifically designed to enhance usefulness and provide fun throughout the day for older and/or impaired adults. Health care monitoring, including medication management and administration, personal care and assistance with activities of daily living are provided.

Current officers for Board of Directors of The Life Center include President,Steve Jackson; President Elect, Catherine Lambeth; Secretary, Shirley Byrnes; Treasurer, Angie Crews; and Immediate Past President Lori Clement. The agency held an Open House and 30th Anniversary Celebration Monday, July 12.

The Life Center of Davidson County, Inc. is a partner agency of The United Way of Davidson County, and also receives funding from Home and Community Care Block Grant, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Veterans Affairs, Family Caregivers Support Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults, Fees for services, City of Lexington, and donations from churches, individuals, corporations and foundations in the community.