LifePath

01/17/2026

Many people are concerned about brain health and memory loss as they age, and for good reason. 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 in our area has dementia, and 1 in 3 Americans dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Between 2000 and 2022, deaths from heart disease decreased 2%, while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease increased 142%. It is a growing problem. But it’s not just something that older people need to be concerned with.

The younger we are when we recognize dementia is a risk for each one of us, the more we can do to protect ourselves. Our actions in youth and midlife affect our risk when we are older. Brain changes can start years, even decades, before we notice any symptoms, so protecting brain health is important from childhood on.

Learn how you can protect your brain health at https://lifepathma.org/stories/today-is-the-best-day-to-start-protecting-our-brain-health/

01/16/2026

Visit LifePath at MassHire Tuesday, 1/20, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM to learn about our fantastic employment opportunities!

01/10/2026

Like many life-altering journeys, the dementia journey often starts in a doctor’s office. “Those are words I never expected to hear,” said Angela, at the beginning of a recent Dementia Journey group. “My mother had dementia, but I did not think this would happen to me.” Angela’s partner Mark felt similarly. “I was scared and I didn’t know what to do next. Angela didn’t want anyone to know. I was worried about how to help her.”

“Brenda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. I notice that she is not as motivated to stay involved with her favorite activities. She says she does not have the energy to talk to her friends or stay involved in her weekly quilting group. But she gets upset when I try to help her and I’m feeling overwhelmed,” observed Martha, her partner, during a Dementia Journey session on Quality of Life.

Dementia Journey is an 8-week group composed of people living with dementia and their care partners. The format of the weekly 2-hour session provides a practical roadmap with tools for effectively adapting to the changes that come with this disease in areas of life such as daily living, quality of life, relationships, support, and planning for the future. Workshop participants map out their Circle of Support, reflect on What Matters Most, practice strategies for effective communication, and learn about the depth and variety of resources available through LifePath and other community organizations, including local Councils on Aging, Senior Centers, and Village Neighbors groups.

Read more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleLike many life-altering journeys, the dementia journey often starts in a doctor’s office. “Those are words I never expected to hear,” said Angela, at the beginning of a recent Dementia Journey group. “My mother had dementia, but I did not think this would happen to me.” A...

01/03/2026

With the official start of winter on December 21, the countdown to the spring season is officially underway, bringing positive reminders and memories of warmer temperatures, longer sunlit days, and blossoming flowers to enjoy. In the meantime, let us do our best to get through winter first. Of course, winter does come with its challenges, but sometimes we can find some positive highlights along the way, like trees covered with the fine powder of the latest snowstorm, or kids laughing as they sled with their friends or build snowmen together. I could go on forever. Whatever is on your list, do your best to make the most of the season.

The new year brings on a whole set of different emotions for people. For some it could be a new chapter filled with exciting adventures, while for others the new year could mean three more months of dark and gloomy days until daylight savings time arrives. Wherever you are along the path as you start your new year, LifePath can be a valuable resource in helping to guide you when it comes to supporting older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers all throughout the year.

Read more at the link below.

Print this articleWith the official start of winter on December 21, the countdown to the spring season is officially underway, bringing positive reminders and memories of warmer temperatures, longer sunlit days, and blossoming flowers to enjoy. In the meantime, let us do our best to get through wint...

01/01/2026

In this new year, if you or someone you know could benefit from help at home with everyday tasks, such as bathing, meal preparation, and medication management, or if you or someone you know is a caregiver who needs support, call LifePath at 413-773-5555. Our Resource Consultants can help!

12/30/2025

Age & Dementia Friendly Community Grants Available Now! Learn more and submit your proposal by scanning the QR code below or by visiting https://lifepathma.org/about/doing-business-with-us/

12/27/2025

LifePath is now seeking proposals for projects that support our region’s Age & Dementia Friendly communities—where older adults and residents of all ages can enjoy greater well-being, connectivity, and belonging. With generous support from Point32 Health Foundation, the second annual Age & Dementia Community Grant program seeks your leadership to make your Franklin County and North Quabbin community a place where everyone can age well.

These grants are designed to help local communities improve their buildings, public spaces, policies, programs, and more, making them welcoming and equitable for everyone, no matter their age or ability. Find out more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleLifePath is now seeking proposals for projects that support our region’s Age & Dementia Friendly communities—where older adults and residents of all ages can enjoy greater well-being, connectivity, and belonging. With generous support from Point32 Health Foundation, the second ...

12/24/2025

Overnight warming centers are available on 12/25 and 12/26 at the Salvation Army in Greenfield.

Alert: Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center at the Salvation Army (72 Chapman Street) will be open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on:
- Thursday, 12/25
- Friday, 12/26

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 graphic with information about the overnight warming center as described above.

12/24/2025

Participants of LifePath's Community Engagement Center (CEC) had fun singing holiday music with LifePath staff recently. The CEC provides a supportive, engaging, and safe environment for adults living with memory loss while offering respite and support to caregivers. For more information about the CEC, call LifePath at 413-773-5555.

12/20/2025

Unless they hurt, most people rarely think about their amazing feet. Hidden by socks and often encased in shoes, feet are made up of 26 bones, 33 ligaments, 19 intrinsic muscles, and 10 muscles that originate in the leg and connect into the foot. There are hundreds of other fibers and the whole structure is covered by skin. The foot is a critical component of human mobility, yet most of us walk around with little regard for inner workings or how to keep feet, and the skin covering them, healthy.

Skin is the largest organ of the body. It regulates body temperature, provides cushioning, acts as an organ of elimination, and is our primary immune system shield. When the skin becomes compromised, the biggest risk is infection, which happens when an outside microbe gets inside our body, and our immune system needs to fight the microbe off. Infection can be localized and contained, like an ingrown nail; or it can spread and cause cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection affecting the skin’s deeper layers. While we are fortunate enough to have antibiotics available to fight off infections, taking care of your skin is the best act of prevention.

Learn more about how to take good care of your feet by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleUnless they hurt, most people rarely think about their amazing feet. Hidden by socks and often encased in shoes, feet are made up of 26 bones, 33 ligaments, 19 intrinsic muscles, and 10 muscles that originate in the leg and connect into the foot. There are hundreds of other

12/13/2025

Is diet soda healthier than regular soda? Is it better to use artificial sweeteners in coffee than regular sugar? What about stevia or other naturally-derived sweeteners, are these better options?

With growing awareness that too much added sugar can contribute to tooth decay, diabetes, heart disease, unintentional weight gain, and other health issues, many people are seeking low- or no-added-sugar sweetener alternatives. Sugar-free sweeteners, often referred to as “non-nutritive sweeteners” or “low-calorie sugar substitutes,” contribute zero or few calories since the body cannot digest, absorb, and then use them as energy, and they don’t tend to directly raise blood sugars as much as sugar does. They include chemically-derived artificial sweeteners and plant-derived natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. Most are 200-700 times sweeter than table sugar so only a small amount is needed; though the high-intensity and sometimes metallic or bitter flavors turn many people off. Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleIs diet soda healthier than regular soda? Is it better to use artificial sweeteners in coffee than regular sugar? What about stevia or other naturally-derived sweeteners, are these better options? With growing awareness that too much added sugar can contribute to tooth decay, diab...

12/10/2025

The overnight warming center at the Greenfield Salvation Army will open on Thursday, 12/11, at 7 PM.

Alert: Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center at the Salvation Army (72 Chapman Street) will be open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on:
- Thursday, 12/11
- Friday, 12/12
- Saturday, 12/13
- Sunday, 12/14
- Monday, 12/15
- Tuesday, 12/16

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 graphic with information about the overnight warming center as described above.