LifePath

The Joyful Expressions! and Community Sing took place yesterday afternoon at LifePath. Visitors browsed multi-media exhibits of artwork created during a series of arts sessions that LifePath has been bringing to older adults across Franklin County — at Elm Terrace in Greenfield, Highland Village in Shelburne, and Sanderson Place in Sunderland, as well as at LifePath’s own Community Engagement Center (CEC) here in Greenfield. Joyful Expressions! was made possible in part through a grant from Mass Cultural Council.

Choral director Joe Toritto led visitors through multiple group songs, while professional artist Debra Cootware demonstrated an art session similar to the ones that encouraged older adults to produce the beautiful art on display. The event culminated with ice cream sundaes. Thanks to everyone who participated!

If you have Medicare parts A & B, and you or a loved one have been diagnosed with dementia, then you may be eligible for support through the new GUIDE program. Contact LifePath at 413-773-5555 to learn more! Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc.

There is something quietly miraculous that happens when someone living with memory loss sits in a circle with others, hears a familiar song, and begins to sing along. The worry in their eyes softens. Their bodies relax. For a little while, they are simply present, surrounded by others, in a safe and comforting environment.

That is what Joyful Expressions! has given us. And on Monday, June 8, we invite you to witness it.

Joyful Expressions! is a series of creative arts sessions that LifePath has been bringing to older adults across Franklin County — at Elm Terrace in Greenfield, Highland Village in Shelburne, and Sanderson Place in Sunderland, as well as at LifePath’s own Community Engagement Center (CEC) here in Greenfield. Made possible in part through a grant from Mass Cultural Council, the program pairs two extraordinary local artists with participants who might never have called themselves artists or singers. Choral director Joe Toritto leads the group in song, and artist Debra Cootware guides participants through hands-on art sessions that require nothing more than curiosity and a willingness to create. What emerges from the participants is an acknowledgement that individuals who are sometimes forgotten about still have much to give, and much to teach us; about themselves, and about ourselves.

The June 8 event will be the culmination of the Joyful Expressions! series and a celebration of what these participants have made together. The Joyful Expressions! and Community Sing takes place on Monday, June 8, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Corporate Center, North Entrance, 101 Munson Street, Greenfield (Ground-Level Conference Area). The event is free and open to all. Guests are invited to browse the multi-media artwork created by program participants and to lend their own voices to a community chorus led by Joe Toritto. Ice cream and snacks will be provided. Those with special accessibility needs are welcome to contact Sara Levy in advance at (413) 829-9190.

Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Finding Joy on the Way to Goodbye - LifePath Print this articleThere is something quietly miraculous that happens when someone living with memory loss sits in a circle with others, hears a familiar song, and begins to sing along. The worry in their eyes softens. Their bodies relax. For a little while, they are simply present, surrounded by oth...

In February, members of the Mount Grace community met at the facilities of LaunchSpace, Inc. (LSI) to assemble new, age-friendly benches that are now available for rest while exercising, as part of an Age and Dementia Friendly Community Grant award from LifePath.

What is an Age-Friendly Bench?
With age-friendly benches, it’s the little things that can make a big difference. They typically sit higher off the ground and include features like armrests and taller backs. The goal is simple: to make it easier and safer for older adults to sit down and stand up—so they can rest, enjoy the view, and stay active on the trail. Learn more at https://www.mountgrace.org/about/news/post/making-benches-at-a-makerspace

Most people know someone with a food allergy. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), about 33 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, including 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children. The prevalence is rising. While most food allergies develop in childhood, they can occur at any age, and adults can even develop new allergies later in life. Almost half of adults with food allergies report developing at least one during adulthood. Older adults should be aware of food allergies because symptoms can be worsened by a weakened immune system or masked by other health issues, and the consequences can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening.

A food allergy occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to something in a food, usually a protein the body thinks is a threat. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and affect different body parts. They can include an itchy or runny nose, sneezing, an itchy mouth, swelling of the tongue or lips, hives, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, wheezing, tightening of the throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, a drop in blood pressure, weak pulse, and feeling dizzy or faint. Symptoms can be unpredictable, with different symptoms or levels of severity from one reaction to the next.

Continue reading by clicking on the link below.

Nutrition Notes: Understanding Food Allergies - LifePath Print this articleMost people know someone with a food allergy. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), about 33 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, including 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children. The prevalence is rising. While most food allergies develop in child...

Championing your health includes self-advocacy — speaking up about your needs, understanding your options, and making informed decisions. This Older Americans Month, commit to taking charge of your well-being.

This year’s theme for the Annual Franklin County Pride Parade & Festival, on Saturday, June 13, is “Together We Rise.” LifePath’s Rainbow Elders support network has supported LGBTQIA+ older adults in Franklin County for over 14 years by providing a network of social support. Through this network, many people have found connections and made new friends in person and via Zoom. These relationships have helped to break isolation, to lessen strain, and to encourage joy. LifePath’s Rainbow Elders Steering Committee meets regularly to discuss ideas and activities to bring people together. As part of this journey, LGBTQIA+ history is often shared.

Historical Overview

The first formal gay rights organization in the U.S. was established in the 1920’s. Various groups worked through the years with little headway until the Stonewall Riots, on June 28, 1969, in New York City. The Stonewall Riots became the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the U.S. and worldwide. Historically, NYC had laws that disallowed serving alcohol to homosexuals. Gay and le***an bars were often the only places people in the LGBTQIA+ community could freely express themselves. The NYC Liquor Authority often closed bars or sent police to raid bars. Serving alcohol to homosexuals was seen as “disorderly.” While those regulations were dropped in 1966, engaging in “gay” behavior was still illegal. There was also a “gender appropriate” dress code law.

Read more by clicking on the link below.

Join LifePath’s Rainbow Elders Program at the Franklin County Pride Parade and Festival - LifePath Print this articleThis year’s theme for the Annual Franklin County Pride Parade & Festival, on Saturday, June 13, is “Together We Rise.” LifePath’s Rainbow Elders support network has supported LGBTQIA+ older adults in Franklin County for over 14 years by providing a networ...

Join us on Monday, June 8, at 3 PM for Joyful Expressions! This program is sponsored in part by the Mass Cultural Council.

The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging will hold an in-person community listening session in Northampton on Tuesday, May 26. Here are the details:

Northampton Listening Session
Date: Tuesday, May 26
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street, Northampton, MA 01060
To register, call 413-587-1228.

MA Commission on LGBTQ Aging Allison F. Bauer Named Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging May 4, 2026 Press Release The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging enhances the quality of life for LGBTQ older adults in Massachusetts through state policy and program recommendations, collaborations, partnerships,and...