LifePath

03/14/2026

This March we celebrate National Nutrition Month® to raise awareness of dietary and lifestyle choices that support health. The theme “Discover the Power of Nutrition” brings us an opportunity to review and discuss the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, released on January 7, 2026. Every 5 years, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) update these nutrition guidelines to help direct nutrition policy, health care, and community programs like the Home Delivered Meal Program for older adults and the National School Lunch Program. While many have welcomed the focus on whole foods in the new guidelines, critics have jumped on the promotion of animal proteins and full-fat dairy, and how the administration rejected evidence-based recommendations put forth by an independent group of scientists in favor of their own scientific analysis that lacked full transparency. Learn more about the response to these guidelines by clicking on the link below.

https://lifepathma.org/stories/nutrition-notes-the-newly-released-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-2025-2030/

03/11/2026

It’s National Senior Nutrition Month! We are partnering with the Eldercare Locator and USAging to highlight the importance of good nutrition for healthy aging. Contact us for help arranging home delivered meals or finding a meal in the community. Call 413-773-5555 or visit www.LifePathMA.org to learn more.

03/07/2026

Hooray everyone! We have already reached the half-way point through this cold and snowy winter season. It’s incredible how fast 2026 is flying by. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all this shoveling. The good news is that there are some bright spots in the mix as we make our way through the season. One is daylight savings time where each day begins to get a little lighter, for a longer period of time. So don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m.

It was a nice treat this winter to be able to watch the Olympics, which always adds some positivity and inspiration to the season. As the Olympics came to a close, I gave some considerable thought to the distinction between team sports and individually competitive sports. Hockey and figure skating are two great examples, neither of which, by the way, I am remotely good at. In hockey, the team works together in scoring goals, while ultimately striving to win the game at the end of play. On the other hand, figure skating is comprised of individual skaters, all competing for Gold through their various routines and programs. But what people don’t see in both cases is that behind the scenes, there are countless coaches, trainers, choreographers, and support staff that work tireless hours, making it all come together for a successful outcome.

LifePath in a sense is no different. Here at LifePath, we all strive to achieve the very best outcomes for those in our care, as we support caregivers and their loved ones, as well as those throughout our community. Comprised of individually talented people, staff work together as a team, in conjunction with supportive volunteers to deliver essential programs and services in helping to support others. Families and individuals who reach out to LifePath might only interact with a few of our team members along their journey, but are all supported by a larger group of people behind the scenes. By working together, we are able to achieve great things in the process. Read more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleHooray everyone! We have already reached the half-way point through this cold and snowy winter season. It’s incredible how fast 2026 is flying by. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all this shoveling. The good news is that there are some bright spots in t...

03/04/2026

This past Sunday, the Northfield Mount Hermon school's music program hosted their 22nd Annual Benefit Concert in support of LifePath's efforts in supporting older adults and caregivers throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin region. Special thanks to the Penguin Pals, a student club on campus that hosted a special fundraiser the weekend before, collecting additional donations in support of our valuable work. We are so grateful to the Northfield Mount Hermon community for this wonderful, longstanding tradition. Thank you!

03/03/2026

Patti Roy, Information & Caregiver Resource Center Program Director at LifePath, is one of the panelists for "The Power of Partnership: Strengthening Care for Residents with Substance Use Disorder in Long-Term Care" at the Athol Public Library from 1-4 PM on Wednesday, March 18.

To register, visit https://redcap.healthcentricadvisors.org/surveys/?s=9HRNKF979DXJ9TJ7

02/28/2026

LifePath’s office was once again filled with colorful works of Valentine’s Day art after children from Bement School, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, Colrain Central School After School Program, The Learning Knoll, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Northfield Elementary School, Petersham Center School, Petersham Montessori School, and Shutesbury Elementary School, along with residents of the assisted living community Arbors at Greenfield, created more than 800 handmade Valentine’s cards for delivery to LifePath’s Meals on Wheels recipients—200 more than last year! The cards had a brief stay in the office to be organized and counted before being brought to the Meals on Wheels kitchen in Erving for delivery.

Read more and see more cards by clicking on the link below!

Print this articleLifePath’s office was once again filled with colorful works of Valentine’s Day art after children from Bement School, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, Colrain Central School After School Program, The Learning Knoll, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Northfield Elementary Schoo...

02/27/2026

Northfield Mount Hermon NMH will be hosting their 22nd Annual Benefit Concert at the NMH Rhodes Arts Center this Sunday, March 1, at 3 PM, to support LifePath! Join us to hear the wonderful NMH Instrumental Ensembles!

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...