Volunteer Drivers Deliver Meals and Wellness Checks, Help People in Crisis
I am writing hoping you are all well and that those affected by recent weather devastation are rebounding. The storms in the last two months have led to deaths in Pennsylvania and New York, and property damage across Western Massachusetts and surrounding areas. For many, the storms may have brought up trauma from Tropical Storm
How Can We Grow Intergenerational Connection and Support in the LGBTQIA+ Community?
One of the pleasures of my new role at LifePath is meeting community members at local events. It has been enlightening and heartwarming to hear stories from individuals served by LifePath, their caregivers, current and former LifePath team members, our volunteers, and community leaders who support LifePath’s work.
One of these events was Franklin County Pride,
Meeting Dolores: How a Daily Walk Led to a New Friend
As spring quickly turns to summer, it is a lovely time to enjoy all that nature has to offer. Whether sitting near an open window, or, if able, venturing outdoors, we can reconnect with the natural world and our community. For many, walking is an easy and no-cost way to get outside and realize the
Older Generations Give the Gifts of their Life Perspectives
Hello, The Good Life Readers. My name is Gary Yuhas and I am excited and honored to make my first contribution to The Good Life as the recently appointed Executive Director of LifePath.
I am thankful to be offered this opportunity to lead LifePath. LifePath holds special importance for me for a number of reasons. I’ve
Aging Baby Boomers Emphasize Need for Home-Based Care
There is much to reflect upon, as I write my final The Good Life article and look back over my 35+ years of work within home- and community-based services. Many advances in policies and best practices have occurred, yet we are at a juncture when expedited changes are needed vitally in response to the demographic
Striving for Racial Equity and Multicultural Inclusion
We, as an agency, continue our commitment to combating systemic racism and fostering multicultural growth, equity, and inclusion. While LifePath had previously been involved in diversity initiatives, our renewed investment began in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, when taking action against racism was explicitly named as our primary focus. We came together at
Home Health Care: A Workforce in Need
It seems like everywhere you go today, you find “help wanted” signs. From stores, to restaurants, to doctor’s offices and local municipalities, the national labor shortage continues to impact a wide array of industries and occupations. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than 47 million workers left their jobs in 2021, many of
Winter Well-Being
As much of our region experiences its first whispers of winter, it’s wise to take time to prepare yourself for the months to come. For many, this means thinking about tangible steps such as insulating and heating your home; getting out winter coats, boots and shovels; and stocking up on sand for icy sidewalks. While
Older Adults Are Quietly Returning to the Workplace
Barbara Bodzin, Executive DirectorThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of individuals over 75 years of age who are either working or actively looking for work will grow 96.5% by 2030. Those over 75 are the only age group whose labor force participation rate is projected to rise in the next
The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Report on Ageism
Barbara Bodzin, Executive Director
Age is one of the first things we notice about other people. Ageism arises when age is used to categorize and divide people in ways that lead to harm, disadvantages, and injustice and erodes solidarity across generations.
Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we
Ways to Combat the Creeping Cost of Cable and Satellite TV
As our relationship with television has evolved, many have been left wondering if continuing to pay for cable or satellite TV is money well spent. With the average cable package costing American homes $217 per month, this is an especially important consideration for older adults, many of whom live on a fixed income. However, with
Awareness of Scams Is Power
While it’s important for everyone to protect themselves from financial and identity scams, older adults can often be at a heightened risk. The Federal Trade Commission estimates in 2020, Americans aged 60 and older lost $602 million to fraud, scams, and financial exploitation. While many tactics used by scammers are not new, COVID-19 has created