LifePath

02/23/2026

Warming locations are open in Greenfield (see below) and in Athol at the
Athol Overnight Warming center at North Quabbin Recovery center (416 Main St. Athol, MA., open 10 PM - 6 AM).

Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center at the Salvation Army (72 Chapman Street) will be open 7 PM - 7 AM on:
- Monday, 2/23
- Tuesday, 2/24

The Warming Center is for use by people who do not have other options for getting out of the cold. It is not a homeless shelter and beds will not be provided. It is staffed by volunteers from the Western MA Medical Reserve Corps and other organizations.

Daytime warming is available at the following locations this winter:
- Greenfield Public Library (412 Main Street): All open hours.
- Arch Place Temporary Shelter: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.
- Greenfield Housing Authority Community Room (1 Elm Terrace): Monday Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
- Oak Courts Common Room (Oak Courts, off of Elm Street): Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
- John Zon Senior Center (35 Pleasant Street): Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM

02/21/2026

Walter Harubin, who turned 105 on February 8, is sitting in his bright living room with large, exposed wood beams in Whately, MA—a living room he built. “I built this house, 85% of it myself, it took me three and a half years when I was only 40 years old . . . Every minute, every hour I had, I was here, working,” he says.

The work paid off, and now, 65 years later, Walter is able to stay in the home he built, in part because of support from LifePath’s Meals on Wheels program, which serves around 500 people a day with about 600 meals delivered via 32 routes to older people who may not be able to prepare a healthy meal for themselves. Everyone receives a hot, noontime lunch, and State Home Care consumers who receive other services from LifePath can also receive a chilled, prepared supper meal. The meals are designed by registered dietitians to be nutritionally balanced and healthy. There are approximately 20 staff members and 60 volunteers who make this happen each day.

In addition, the volunteer delivery drivers provide a daily wellness check, and have helped people in distress many times. The social interaction between delivery drivers and meal recipients is another crucial benefit to the program.

For three days each week, Walter’s delivery drivers are Sue and Tom Dillon, who have been delivering meals together for two and a half years, and have joined Walter for his interview. On this day, they had already delivered 26 meals, leaving the house at 9 AM and getting back around 1 PM. Delivering the meals together works well for them—if one has an appointment on a given day, the other is still there to handle the route.

When Sue and Tom first met Walter on their route, he was 103. Tom remembers, “He was still picking blueberries, mowing, and snow blowing.”

“I was still in my prime then,” jokes Walter, who adds, “They’re terrific, some of my best people. I can depend on Tom and Sue if I need them.” Read more about Walter by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleWalter Harubin, who turned 105 on February 8, is sitting in his bright living room with large, exposed wood beams in Whately, MA—a living room he built. “I built this house, 85% of it myself, it took me three and a half years when I was only 40 years

02/14/2026

The new year brings new Medicare costs for 2026. Here are some of the changes to your coverage.

Medicare Part A changes

Medicare Part A covers your hospital costs, such as: hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, hospice care, and other services. Most beneficiaries do not pay a premium for Part A if they have 40 quarters of work history. Roughly 1% of beneficiaries pay Part A premiums. Depending on their work history for 2026 they will pay either $311/month or $565/month.

The Part A deductible will increase from $1,632 to $1736. This deductible is the beneficiary’s only cost for up to 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital services. The 61st to the 90th day has increased from $408 to $434 a day, and beyond the 90th day has increased from $816 to $868 a day. For beneficiaries who have a Medigap Supplement 1 or 1A plan, these costs are covered by that supplemental insurance coverage.

Medicare Part A covers the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, after a three-day-qualifying stay in a hospital. The skilled nursing facility coinsurance has increased from $204 to $217 for the 21st to the 100th day. Learn about more changes by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleThe new year brings new Medicare costs for 2026. Here are some of the changes to your coverage. Medicare Part A changes Medicare Part A covers your hospital costs, such as: hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, hospice care, and other services. Most benefi...

02/11/2026

LifePath staff will be at the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to answer questions and offer information about available services and volunteer resources available to you and your loved ones.

We are a nonprofit organization serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, helping people to stay independent in their homes and communities. LifePath can connect you with helpful programs and services, working with people of all incomes.

For more information about LifePath, visit our website at www.lifepathma.org, or call 413-773-5555. This program is free and open to everyone in the community. We look forward to seeing you there.

Print this articleWe Are LifePath. At LifePath, we listen first, and then help each person find the best options for their unique needs. Learn More See the Video Print this articleHow can we help? Could you or someone you know benefit from help

02/07/2026

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s most recent breakfast invited leaders from local non-profit organizations to highlight how nonprofits are essential contributors to the local economy while also functioning as charitable organizations.

In Franklin County, nonprofits are often discussed in terms of need, with a focus on who we serve, what services are underfunded, and where the gaps are growing. This is often the case at LifePath, along with how folks can help, and we’ll get to that part, too. These are important conversations, especially as state budget pressures are leading to waitlists in some of our programs, and as federal uncertainty creates significant challenges to planning responsibly. But focusing only on need hides the fact that nonprofits are also employers, purchasers, partners, and stabilizers. We generate economic activity, support the workforce and region, and help hold families and communities together. Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleThe Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s most recent breakfast invited leaders from local non-profit organizations to highlight how nonprofits are essential contributors to the local economy while also functioning as charitable organizations. In Franklin County, nonprofits are o...

02/06/2026

LifePath staff will be at the Athol Public Library on Thursday, February 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to answer questions and offer information about services and volunteer resources available to you and your loved ones.

We are a nonprofit organization serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, helping people to stay independent in their homes and communities. LifePath can connect you with helpful programs and services, working with people of all incomes.

For more information about LifePath, visit our website at www.lifepathma.org, or call 413-773-5555. This program is free and open to everyone in the community. We look forward to seeing you there.

Print this articleWe Are LifePath. At LifePath, we listen first, and then help each person find the best options for their unique needs. Learn More See the Video Print this articleHow can we help? Could you or someone you know benefit from help

02/06/2026

On a snowy, blustery Saturday morning last month, members of the Mount Grace community met at the facilities of LaunchSpace, Inc. (LSI) to assemble new, age-friendly benches as part of an Age and Dementia Friendly Community Grant award from LifePath. Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Replacing our existing benches with age-friendly benches is one small step we can make towards improved trail accessibility.

01/31/2026

Bones are made up of living tissue that’s constantly changing. During our lifetime, our body relies on the minerals calcium and phosphate to keep our bones strong and healthy. As we age, however, our bodies tend to reabsorb these minerals instead of keeping them in our bones.

When more old bone is reabsorbed and not enough new bone is generated, bone loss occurs. And if there is too much loss of bone, it can lead to a disease called osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent” disease, because many people have no symptoms at all. The disease may progress for many years undetected—until a broken bone occurs. Learn more about causes and treatment by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleBones are made up of living tissue that’s constantly changing. During our lifetime, our body relies on the minerals calcium and phosphate to keep our bones strong and healthy. As we age, however, our bodies tend to reabsorb these minerals instead of keeping them in our bones. Whe...

01/29/2026

Warming locations are available from tonight through Monday.

Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center at the Salvation Army (72 Chapman Street) will be open 7 PM - 7 AM:
- Thursday, 1/29
- Friday, 1/30
- Saturday, 1/31
- Sunday, 2/1
- Monday, 2/2

The Warming Center is for use by people who do not have other options for getting out of the cold. It is not a homeless shelter and beds will not be provided. It is staffed by volunteers from the Western MA Medical Reserve Corps and other organizations.

Daytime warming is available at the following locations this winter:
- Greenfield Public Library (412 Main Street): All open hours.
- Arch Place Temporary Shelter: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.
- Greenfield Housing Authority Community Room (1 Elm Terrace): Monday Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
- Oak Courts Common Room (Oak Courts, off of Elm Street): Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
- John Zon Senior Center (35 Pleasant Street): Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM

Image description: A graphic promoting the Overnight Warming Center with the information provided above.

01/24/2026

Caregiving can be daunting, and more so if you have never done it before. Click on the link below to learn tips on when and how to begin caregiving for a loved one, from the National Institute on Aging. Once you decide to start the caregiving process, LifePath’s Resource Consultants will listen to your unique situation and present options that fit your and your loved one’s needs. Call 413-773-5555 or email info@lifepathma.org to learn more.

Print this articleCaregiving can be daunting, and more so if you have never done it before. These tips on when and how to begin caregiving for a loved one, from the National Institute on Aging, can help. Once you decide to start the caregiving process, LifePath’s Resource Consultants will listen

01/23/2026

We were excited to once again welcome Judy and Steve Dacyczyn to LifePath. They represent The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and local Elks Lodge #2521. Judy, State Historian, and Steve, Past District Deputy, are also both former Exalted Rulers at the local Montague Lodge. As community leaders, they truly understand the needs of their neighbors, and they value the nutritious meals and wellness checks from LifePath's Meals on Wheels program. They kindly donated $1,000 to support Meals on Wheels in the Montague and Turners Falls communities. Thank you to Judy, Steve, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Members of local Elks Lodge #2521. Your ongoing support of our work is valued and appreciated.

01/22/2026

Places to warm up are available through this frigid weekend!

Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center at the Salvation Army (72 Chapman Street) will be open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the evening of Friday (1/23), and will have extended hours from 2 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturday (1/24), and Sunday (1/25). Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Arch Street Temporary Shelter will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. on Saturday.

The Warming Center is for use by people who do not have other options for getting out of the cold. It is not a homeless shelter and beds will not be provided. It is staffed by volunteers from the Western MA Medical Reserve Corps and other organizations.

Daytime warming is available at the following locations this winter:
Greenfield Public Library (412 Main Street): All open hours.
Monday - Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Greenfield Housing Authority Community Room (1 Elm Terrace): Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Oak Courts Common Room (Oak Courts, off of Elm Street): Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
John Zon Senior Center (35 Pleasant Street): Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Image description: A black-and-white flyer detailing Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center as described above.