Like many life-altering journeys, the dementia journey often starts in a doctor’s office. “Those are words I never expected to hear,” said Angela, at the beginning of a recent Dementia Journey group. “My mother had dementia, but I did not think this would happen to me.” Angela’s partner Mark felt similarly. “I was scared and I didn’t know what to do next. Angela didn’t want anyone to know. I was worried about how to help her.”
“Brenda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. I notice that she is not as motivated to stay involved with her favorite activities. She says she does not have the energy to talk to her friends or stay involved in her weekly quilting group. But she gets upset when I try to help her and I’m feeling overwhelmed,” observed Martha, her partner, during a Dementia Journey session on Quality of Life.
Dementia Journey is an 8-week group composed of people living with dementia and their care partners. The format of the weekly 2-hour session provides a practical roadmap with tools for effectively adapting to the changes that come with this disease in areas of life such as daily living, quality of life, relationships, support, and planning for the future. Workshop participants map out their Circle of Support, reflect on What Matters Most, practice strategies for effective communication, and learn about the depth and variety of resources available through LifePath and other community organizations, including local Councils on Aging, Senior Centers, and Village Neighbors groups.
The focus of the group each week is “what matters most” to the folks in the room. The Dementia Journey group is grounded in the guiding principle that quality of life is possible at every step of the dementia journey.
“I really appreciated the community connections my wife and I developed as a part of this group. We don’t feel so alone anymore,” stated Mike. “I didn’t know there was so much out there for people with dementia,” Patricia said, “And now we know who to talk to in order to get connected.”
The participants of each group also become supports for each other. Care partners find that they are struggling with the same issues, for example, a lack of sleep due to anxiety or struggling to decide whether it is time to tell their friends and family about their loved one’s diagnosis or having a different opinion than their loved one about whether it is the right time.
John, a care partner, reflected, “The opportunity to hear what others are dealing with really helped my anxiety about our situation. Now I understand that we are part of a dementia community.”
LifePath will be holding two 8-week Dementia Journey groups in early 2026. The next group will be held Mondays from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM during March and April 2026 in Shelburne Falls in partnership with the Senior Center. A second Dementia Journey group will be offered on Mondays, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM in Athol in May and June, 2026, in partnership with the Athol Senior Center. To register or to learn more, contact LifePath at info@lifepathma.org or call 413-773-5555.
The Respite Coop: A New Tool to Support Family Caregivers
After the first Dementia Journey group, offered in spring of 2025, LifePath staff realized that the group had a desire to stay connected and to support one another. In addition, family caregivers whose loved ones were participating in LifePath’s Community Engagement Center (CEC) social day program were also seeking ways to stay connected and to support each other outside of their family’s participation in the CEC program.
Family caregivers are the backbone of the nation’s care system providing over $15.1 billion of uncompensated time in Massachusetts alone, according to a 2023 AARP Report. The 2025 national theme “Plug-in to Care” reminds us that caregivers need and deserve connections to resources, networks, and each other.
Aligned with this year’s theme, LifePath was one of five organizations to receive a grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to support the economic security of unpaid family caregivers. With these funds, LifePath is partnering with Dostata, a tech company with a mission to support caregivers, to pilot Respite Co-Op as an innovative, low-cost response to the lack of paid staff to provide respite care.
“Caregivers make an invaluable contribution, yet they face significant challenges, including financial strain, work disruptions, and impacts on their own health,” says Diane Robie, Director of Client Services for LifePath. “Our partnership with Dostata creates opportunities for caregivers to exchange respite with each other that benefits all involved.”
One out of four caregivers report feelings of loneliness and isolation. Rates of depression and chronic illness are even higher. “The model fosters friendships and connections without a lot of professional involvement,” said Robie.
Caregivers are matched to small groups based on affiliation, location, or shared needs. An easy-to-use online platform allows members of the group to request or offer respite within a trusted network of caregivers. The platform removes the fear of imposing on others and over time creates resilient communities based on trust and reciprocity.
The Respite Co-Op can be a great extension of memory cafes, grandparent caring for grandchildren groups, or Adult Family Care, allowing people who already have relationships to set up social engagements or arrange respite for each other. If you would like to start a Respite Co-Op or learn how to become part of a group, reach out to LifePath.
