LifePath

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.

10/27/2025

Recently, LifePath staff helped out at the monthly community soup night at the Stone Soup Café. The staff had a great time supporting one of our non-profit friends in the community. We can't wait to come back on November 17 to help out again!

10/25/2025

“Being there is what matters to me.” That is how Linda Ackerman began her interview with me last month at the Greenfield Public Library.

LifePath and those we serve have benefited from Linda’s amazing attitude and commitment to service in Franklin County & the North Quabbin area. Over the last ten years, she has served as a LifePath volunteer in four areas: an Ombudsman at a Greenfield-based long-term care facility, a Meals on Wheels driver for a route in Turners Falls, a Money Management volunteer in both Northfield & Greenfield, and a Phone Pals volunteer who provides a friendly call each week to an older adult living alone in Athol. And, Linda also has been a joyful LifePath Walkathon participant “for forever.” Read more of Director of Community & Volunteer Resources Susan White's interview with Linda by clicking on the link below.

“Being there is what matters to me.” That is how Linda Ackerman began her interview with me last month at the Greenfield Public Library. LifePath and those we serve have benefited from Linda’s amazing attitude and commitment to service in Franklin County & the North Quabbin area. Over the l

10/24/2025

Register for our new Mind, Body, and Spirit Wellness Group, starting in January 2026!

10/21/2025

A big THANK YOU to our walking teams, sponsors, donors, and community organizations that joined us on Saturday, October 18, for the Walkathon. It was a great day in support of our Meals on Wheels program!

10/20/2025

Cold season is coming so the WOW bus and Walgreens are here to the rescue! You are welcome to visit The United Arc at Avenue A in Turners Falls on Wednesday, October 22, from 1 PM to 4 PM to get up-to-date on your fall/winter vaccinations. Any questions, please call 413-774-5558. LifePath and Community Action will be on site to provide resources.

Cold season is coming so the WOW bus and Walgreens are here to the rescue!

The community is welcome to join The United Arc, Avenue A, Turners Falls on October 22nd from 1p to 4p to get you up-to-date on fall/winter time vaccinations.

Any questions, please call 413 774 5558. If you are interest, please leave a comment.

10/18/2025

Many of you are reading this on the day of LifePath’s Annual Walkathon: Saturday, October 18. Registration and check-in begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, with the event starting at 10 a.m. All are welcome, and there’s the additional incentive of the Fall Food Festival and Car Show beginning at 12 p.m., right next door. I’ll be walking with my team for the tenth year, an activity I look forward to as a way to see our community out in support of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

The Walkathon is an important event for LifePath because funds raised through the Walkathon go to support LifePath’s Meals on Wheels (MOW) program, as well as other essential programs. As the federal administration keeps threatening to decrease federal support for MOW, which accounts for a quarter of MOW’s funding (25%), your support is needed even more than usual to keep this and other programs going. To learn more, click on the link below!

Many of you are reading this article on the day of LifePath’s Annual Walkathon: Saturday, October 18. Registration and check-in begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, with the event starting at 10 a.m. All are welcome, and there’s the additional incentive of the Fall Food Festiva...

10/17/2025

Tomorrow is LifePath’s 33rd Annual Walkathon! Join us this Saturday, October 18, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, Greenfield, MA! Registration begins at 9:30 AM and the Walkathon runs from 10 AM to 2 PM. Help us raise funds for Meals on Wheels and other essential LifePath programs while having fun! To learn more and register as a team or individually, visit the link below.

Learn more about the LifePath Walkathon: More articles on the Walkathon