A Volunteer’s Story: “It’s not all business. We have fun!”
Meet Money Manager Sue Dunbar
Though Sue Dunbar of New Salem is retired, she keeps herself busy as a church treasurer, library assistant, and volunteer money manager through LifePath.
“I was the elementary band director at the Amherst Public Schools for 38 years,” says Sue. “I have several irons in the fire, and all I got rid
Jean Adams ages in place with help from the Personal Care Attendant Program
“It’s just like a gift from heaven”
Jean Adams spent most of her life working. “I worked 46 years of my life and I’m 76,” says Jean. “My parents always felt that we needed to know what it was like to earn money. So at 12 years old, I got a summer job washing milk bottles
A Caregiver’s Story: Deb & Alan Bachrach
Alan and Deb Bachrach are shown above enjoying the company of their dogs, Bela and Zoe, in 2017. Alan is listening to music on his iPod, provided through a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Music Project. Alan, who had dementia with Lewy bodies, found the music to be soothing and often sang along.
Aging in place with
A Volunteer’s Story: “It helps somebody, and nobody has to pay me.”
Meet Money Manager Ted Penick
It all started nearly 20 years ago with the radio. Ted Penick was listening to WHAI and heard an interview about the Money Management Program at LifePath. “Somebody was on and mentioned this program which I’d never heard of. It sounded interesting – they even gave a phone number to call.
There’s No Care Like Home Care
Meet Melanie, CHHA, serving elders and people with disabilities for nearly 40 years
Melanie has been a certified home health aide (CHHA) for nearly four decades.
“I have been in the home care field for 37 years,” she says. “I was trained in high school as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and home health aide (HHA).”
For the
A Caregiver’s Story
Opening a home with love for a patchwork family
Jean Brisson moved with her family to Charlemont, Mass., nearly 20 years ago.
“I moved here because my father had sold his house in Northampton and relocated to this area,” says Jean, “and I had children and they were very close with my dad.” Now, Jean’s children are
A Volunteer’s Story: “It makes me feel good that I can kind of help somebody.”
Steve McKnight serves elders and his community with Rides for Health
One day, after Steve McKnight retired from a long career with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation about three years ago, he was browsing through the newspaper when he came across a description of a new program at LifePath that was seeking volunteers.
“I thought,
A Volunteer’s Story: “You take small steps to reach your big goals”
Gale Mason helps her neighbors learn ways to better manage their health
Gale Mason (above left) co-led her first Healthy Living community workshop with Andi Waisman (above right), Healthy Living program manager at LifePath. “I think it was the first workshop either one of us had led,” says Gale, “so we really relied heavily on each
Martha & Donna are “grateful & secure” for services from LifePath
Above: Martha Shibilo (left) and Donna Gates sit and talk in their family home in Montague. Thanks to services from LifePath, the mother and daughter are able to age in place together.
Mother and daughter maintain their independence together in their family home
Donna Gates grew up in Franklin County. Now age 77, she lives in Montague
Congregate Housing
Winslow Wentworth House & Morgan-Allen House
When choosing where you want to live, you might look for a place that feels private but also allows you to socialize with people nearby. If you’re an elder or a person with a disability, you may also be looking for a place that offers additional supportive services.
Congregate Housing offers
A Volunteer’s Story: “I’m committed to keeping people in their homes”
Meet Gale Mason, Rides for Health volunteer
When Gale Mason, Rides for Health volunteer, brings Regina LoBello to her medical appointments, they both enjoy the opportunity to talk in the car. “I love taking Regina to her appointments,” says Gale. “We have a good time. I learn new recipes.”
Gale has been volunteering with Rides for Health
Family caregivers refresh and renew thanks to caregiver grants
Caregiver grants from LifePath offer caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren under the age of 18 an opportunity to refresh and renew away from their caregiving and childrearing responsibilities.
Caregivers have used these grants to pay someone (a family member, friend or neighbor) to provide them with in-home respite so they can rest; take a class; visit