LifePath

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

10/11/2025

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period, takes place this year from October 15 to December 7, 2025, with new Medicare plans starting on January 1, 2026.

During the months of September and early October, your current Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO, PPO, POS) with drug coverage, or your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan will be sending you information regarding the upcoming changes to your 2026 coverage. This document is called your Annual Notice of Change. This information will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to keep your current coverage or make a change.

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is your opportunity to re-evaluate your current plan and compare it to other options available. If you are satisfied with your current Medicare coverage and your needs are met, you don’t have to make any changes. Your plan will automatically renew on January 1. To find out what changes you can make to your health and prescription drug coverage during this period for the year ahead, click on the link below.

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period, takes place this year from October 15 to December 7, 2025, with new Medicare plans starting on January 1, 2026. During the months of September and early October, your current Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO, PPO, POS) wit

10/09/2025

We'll be hosting an Age & Dementia Friendly Regional Showcase at the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, October 21, from 10 AM -12 PM! This is an opportunity to get involved in making a positive change for all ages in our community. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr-2AF9HFp0XENxUqzQnBraa8IkdQeeR1IwWQktKYhGWgX5Q/viewform

10/08/2025

Our final (and very impressive) step count has been submitted to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) for their 2025 Fall Prevention Awareness Step Challenge . . .

LifePath staff, volunteers, and community members reported 7,137,187 steps for the month of September.

Thank you again to anyone and everyone who participated! 🍂🏃🎃

Hannah Augustine, RN, BSN, Client Services Nurse Manager

10/06/2025

Looking for Medicare and Medicaid counseling, or support with caring for a family member? Need a ride to a doctor’s appointment? Not sure where to start to find the resources and support you need? LifePath can connect you to local services that can help. Contact us at 413-773-5555 or visit us online by clicking on the link below!

Options for Independence

10/04/2025

This is a busy time of year at LifePath. It’s always busy, in one way or another. And depending upon their role, different team members have different cycles to their work. But this is a different kind of busy for a few reasons.

For the last few months, and for a few more, we are working on a number of different administrative initiatives over and above our regular work. I don’t think you readers are that excited to hear the specific details of all these behind the scenes activities. And, I know that the LifePath team, me included, isn’t always excited about doing them. But these tasks are actually a really great time to reflect on our work and I wanted to share some of these reflections with you.

My two most recent articles shared the various challenges we and other community resources are facing. My intent for this one was to provide updates, but updates are scant. As I write this, it is unclear when we’ll see a federal budget or what, exactly, it will look like. Usually, enough of us around the proverbial crystal ball can pretty reliably predict things, but many things are broken right now, including our ability to accurately assess what the federal government is doing. At the same time, the state continues to experience financial constraints, and has been carefully managing enrollment into the programs it funds.

We are in no way unique in these challenges. Wonderful organizations across our community are in the same boat, and in the same rough waters, yet still succeeding in helping people in all the ways we can. In the midst of adversity, we maintain a hopeful spirit and positive energy as we continue exploring ways to support each other and all of you. One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is working alongside these partners to break down barriers and to serve those in need.

Continue reading by clicking on the link below.

This is a busy time of year at LifePath. It’s always busy, in one way or another. And depending upon their role, different team members have different cycles to their work. But this is a different kind of busy for a few reasons. For the last few months, and for a few more, we are working on a n

10/02/2025

Recruitment Event at MassHire Berkshire Career Center on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 1-3 PM!

LifePath provides support services to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. We are currently seeking a Protective Services Worker to join our team in the Pittsfield office, with experience providing crisis intervention with compassion.

Please join us at the MassHire Berkshire Career Center on October 15, 2025 from 1-3 PM to learn more! See the flyer below for details.

Or, visit https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=ae9f59ae-e029-4ee3-8a2b-afb5e44c27a5&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US&jobId=494574 to apply.

LifePath is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability. EOE/AA