LifePath

12/02/2025

On this Giving Tuesday, please consider making a heartfelt, year-end donation in support of our many programs that help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers throughout our community. Now more than ever, your support can help to make a real difference. Click on the link below to support our mission.

101 Munson St., Suite 201  ·  Greenfield, MA 01301  ·  413-773-5555  ·  Open Monday-Friday, 9-5 Contact Info & Directions

11/29/2025

Older adults have a higher chance of being affected by cold weather. Changes that come with aging can make it harder for older adults to be aware of their body becoming too cold, which can turn into a dangerous health issue quickly.

Hazards of cold weather include falls on wintry surfaces; injury caused by freezing (frostbite); and hypothermia, a medical emergency that occurs when your body temperature gets too low. Being informed and taking certain actions can help lessen risks during the colder months.

Medical conditions and cold weather

Older adults are more likely to have certain chronic medical conditions that make it harder to stay warm:
-Diabetes can prevent blood from flowing normally to provide warmth.
-Thyroid problems can affect the body’s ability to maintain a normal body temperature.
-Parkinson’s disease and arthritis can make it challenging to put on more clothes, use a blanket, or get out of the cold.
-Memory problems can cause a person to forget to take precautions for staying weather-safe, such as wearing appropriate attire.

Some medications can affect body heat, too. These include prescription medications and those bought over the counter, such as some cold medicines. Ask your doctor if medications you take may affect body heat and what you can do.

Read more tips for cold weather by clicking on the link below!
https://lifepathma.org/stories/cold-weather-safety-for-older-adults/

11/26/2025

Many of us have plans to visit family and/or friends this holiday week. If we visit an older adult we haven't seen in awhile, and realize they could use some more support, contacting LifePath's Family Caregiver Program is a good place to start. Our Community Options Resource Specialists can provide information about caregiving and caregiver respite, in-home care, dementia coaching, and our dementia caregiver support group, along with many other topics. Call us at 413-773-5555 to learn more.

11/22/2025

"One of the many things that I am thankful for is the opportunity to be a part of the LifePath team. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of talking with, learning from, and interacting with people as they share their stories, backgrounds, and experiences that all give a glimpse into what makes LifePath and our community so great. For example, stories from family members and caregivers on how LifePath has played a huge role in helping to make the lives of their loved ones a little better, connecting them to programs and resources that make a life-changing difference."

Read more of "Creating Huge Impact Through Small Acts of Kindness" by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleFor over 50 years, LifePath has made a commitment to address local and regional needs throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin community, as well as in Berkshire, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties, when it comes to supporting the needs of older adults, individuals with disabi...

11/21/2025

On Thursday, November 20, LifePath held its Annual Meeting at the John W. Olver Transit Center in Greenfield. With approximately 75 people in attendance, several updates were given by Board and Staff Leadership highlighting LifePath's accomplishments this past year. LifePath is proud to make a continued positive impact on those who receive and benefit from our programs and services throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, as well as Berkshire, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties.

11/17/2025

On November 14, 2025, LifePath, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, Massachusetts (UWFH), and United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM), announced a joint effort to sustain relief for thousands of local residents, focusing on the ongoing food insecurity crisis affecting one in two households in our region.

The three organizations are partnering to rapidly deploy resources through the existing United Response Fund, created by the 13 United Ways of MA in partnership with the Commonwealth’s Anti-Hunger Task Force. This unprecedented local collaboration was launched as a direct response to the incredibly high rates of food insecurity regionally, which were exacerbated by the delay in the distribution of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and the recent implementation of new SNAP rules. While full SNAP benefits have now been issued, the temporary funding gap and the high demand during the delay severely strained local food security nonprofits, necessitating continued support from the United Response Fund to replenish resources and serve the most vulnerable.

LifePath Commits Significant Funding

As a key provider of nutrition services, LifePath has stepped up to allocate a new stream of funding specifically for local relief.

“Food Security has been core to LifePath’s mission for over 50 years. As the Franklin County and North Quabbin Meals on Wheels provider, we already provided over 186,000 meals and wellness checks last year,” said Gary Yuhas, Executive Director of LifePath. “Even with the tremendous community support of Meals on Wheels, we know those meals are not enough.”

LifePath announced that, with the support of their Board of Directors, they will utilize $50,000 of interest earned from their investments to support urgent, local food insecurity initiatives immediately in the community, above and beyond their home-delivered meals program.

Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleOn November 14, 2025, LifePath, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region (UWFH), and United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM), announced a joint effort to sustain relief for thousands of local residents, focusing on the ongoing food insecurity crisis affecting one in....

11/15/2025

On October 21, more than forty community members gathered in the bright community room of the Greenfield Public Library—also a partner and advocate organization for Age & Dementia Friendly communities—to share ideas, celebrate local progress, and imagine what comes next. Hosted by LifePath, the Age & Dementia Friendly Regional Showcase brought together voices from across Franklin County and the North Quabbin to highlight how collaboration across sectors is creating real, measurable change for people of all ages and abilities.

Funded by the Point32 Health Foundation and the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds, the event demonstrated the regional Age & Dementia Friendly initiative’s move from a multi-year planning phase into active implementation. That progress—and the breadth of local projects now taking shape—can be explored on the Age & Dementia Friendly website, where an interactive map shows accomplishments and ongoing work across the region.

Panelists representing housing, higher education, land conservation, libraries, and senior centers shared how their organizations are advancing Age and Dementia Friendly principles through practical, community-driven strategies. Together, they paint a picture of a region working collectively to create policy, systems, and environmental change that supports aging well—whether through housing design, accessible outdoor spaces, or lifelong learning.

Read more about the Showcase by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleOn October 21, more than forty community members gathered in the bright community room of the Greenfield Public Library—also a partner and advocate organization for Age & Dementia Friendly communities—to share ideas, celebrate local progress, and imagine what comes next. Hosted...

11/08/2025

Rich Vaden, Digital Navigator for United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, Massachusetts, offers free tech support and digital skills training across Franklin County for individuals and organizations. In this role, he helps community members access affordable internet, set up and use devices, and navigate essential online services like email, telehealth, job applications, and more. Here are the top ten questions he gets from the people he helps, and their answers.

1. What is the cloud?
The cloud is a safe storage space on the internet. Instead of keeping all your photos, documents, or emails only on your computer or phone, the cloud saves a copy online. This means you can reach your files from any device, and they are backed up if your device is lost or broken.

2. How do I know if something is a scam, generally?
Scams often try to scare you (“your account will be shut down”), rush you (“act now”), or tempt you (“you’ve won a prize”). Real companies will never ask you to give passwords, gift cards, credit card information, or bank info in an email, text, or unexpected call. If they ask you to download another program or switch to another form of communication like Facebook or WhatsApp to continue the conversation, it is very likely a scam. If you’re unsure, don’t click links. Instead, look up the company’s phone number, website, or email. Don’t trust the contact given in the suspicious message until you confirm it’s the same as the official one. For example, you can find legitimate contact information on the company’s official website or on a bill you received.

Read more by clicking on the link below.

11/07/2025

Members of LifePath's Protective Services staff attended Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc.'s Annual Meeting in appreciation of their strong partnership in helping older adults remain safe in their homes. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, call 1-800-922-2275 anytime day or night.

11/04/2025

November is National Family Caregiver Month! Read the declaration and find caregiver resources in the link below from the Executive Office of Aging & Independence. If you are a caregiver of an older adult with dementia, our Community Engagement Center (CEC) provides an engaging, supportive, and safe environment for adults living with memory loss. Caregivers can rest easy knowing their loved one is enjoying enriching activities, companionship, and compassionate care. We have openings on Tuesday & Thursday or Wednesday & Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM in Greenfield. Call 413-773-5555 to register, or to learn about other support options.

November is National Family Caregivers Month — a time to recognize the compassion, strength, and commitment of the millions of people who provide care and support to loved ones every day.

Governor Maura Healey has officially proclaimed November as Family Caregivers Month in Massachusetts, honoring the vital role caregivers play in strengthening our families, communities, and the Commonwealth.

If you are a caregiver, Massachusetts offers programs and resources to support you:
✅ Family Caregiver Support Program – connect with a local caregiver specialist for one-on-one guidance, training, and respite options
✅ Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – provides eligible workers job-protected paid time off to care for a family member
✅ Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series – practical tips and expert advice to help you care for yourself while caring for others
✅ Caregiver Support Groups – connect with others who understand the challenges and rewards of caregiving

Learn more and find local resources at https://www.mass.gov/support-for-family-caregivers

11/01/2025

Throughout my articles for The Good Life, I have always tried to instill positivity and a simple reminder to people that it doesn’t take a huge endeavor to make a difference throughout our community. The effort put in to achieve change is great, but when you gather enough people together that share a common bond in making a difference, reaching the summit doesn’t seem so daunting.

As individuals, we always pride ourselves on being independent and resourceful, standing on our own two feet for so many years, and easily solving problems as they arise. Sometimes, however, we all reach a point where things are harder to do than they used to be and we need a buddy, a teammate, or simply a friend to help. When faced with this new scenario, it can be very overwhelming to admit and accept that having the additional assistance would certainly be beneficial. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are organizations, such as LifePath, ready to assist in making the heavy load a little lighter.

Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleThroughout my articles for The Good Life, I have always tried to instill positivity and a simple reminder to people that it doesn’t take a huge endeavor to make a difference throughout our community. The effort put in to achieve change is great, but when you gather enough people

10/28/2025

Gary Yuhas, LifePath's Executive Director, and Mary Giannetti, Board President, helped spread the word about LifePath's services at the Heywood Healthcare GAIT Resource Fair in Gardner on Saturday, October 27.