LifePath Funds 17 Regional Organizations to Advance Age & Dementia Friendly Goals
LifePath, the Area Agency on Aging and Aging Services Access Point for Franklin County and the North Quabbin, has awarded funding to several community-based organizations in the second year of the annual Age & Dementia Friendly Community Grants initiative.
A total of 17 grants of up to $3,000 each were awarded to support initiatives aligned with the Age & Dementia Friendly Franklin County and North Quabbin Regional Action Plan, a community-informed plan for building safer, welcoming, and more equitable communities for all ages and abilities.
Proposals were reviewed by a select group of individuals with lived experience, professional expertise, and local roots. Selected projects build on the work of previous awardees, expanding improvements to the policies, systems, and infrastructure of our region. This year’s projects create more accessible outdoor spaces, strengthen digital literacy, promote dementia awareness, leverage technology to connect older adults to civic discourse, and more.
“We’re grateful to these organizations who have stepped forward to partner with us on making our community more age and dementia friendly according to the goals set forth by residents,” said Lynne Feldman, associate executive director at LifePath. “These initiatives are the culmination of deep work and commitment by residents, local organizations, and our valued funders.”
Awards are supported in part by a three-year $190,000 grant from the Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, and by funding from LifePath.
The funded projects are:
• Athol Council on Aging ($3,000)
Expanding the congregate meal program to three days per week, increasing access to nutritious meals while creating additional opportunities for social connection and reducing isolation.
• Athol Orange Community Television ($3,000)
Offering an oral historian training course for local students to document and preserve the stories of older adults, fostering intergenerational connection and community engagement.
• Athol Public Library ($2,850)
Creating an intergenerational Story Walk and related programming that supports people living with dementia and their caregivers, with shared experiences across ages.
• Greenfield Housing Authority (Elm Terrace) ($2,810)
Providing digital learning workshops to help residents access healthcare, benefits, and communication tools, increasing independence and digital inclusion.
• Greenfield Housing Authority (Elm Terrace) ($2,960)
Offering dementia-friendly workshops that support memory, creativity, and social engagement for residents living with cognitive changes.
• Franklin County Fairgrounds ($3,000)
Constructing ADA-accessible picnic tables to ensure inclusive participation in community events and gatherings at a new public pavilion.
• Franklin County YMCA ($3,000)
Delivering a virtual fitness and social connection program to improve health and reduce isolation among older adults and individuals with disabilities.
• Greenfield Public Library ($3,000)
Launching a Memory Kit lending program to support people living with dementia and their caregivers with tools for engagement and connection.
• Heath Council on Aging ($3,000)
Building an outdoor patio at the senior center to create a welcoming space for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction.
• The Senior Center at Shelburne ($1,900)
Enhancing caregiver support and Memory Café programming through expanded social engagement activities, entertainment, and resources.
• Shutesbury Council on Aging ($2,832)
Installing emergency lock boxes accessible to first responders to improve safety and reduce the need for emergency entry to homes, supporting aging in place.
• Town of Ashfield ($3,000)
Purchasing a portable assistive listening system to increase accessibility and participation in civic meetings and community events.
• Town of Bernardston ($3,000)
Installing assistive listening equipment to improve accessibility and ensure more residents can fully participate in community life.
• Town of Leyden ($3,000)
Expanding an accessible walking path to improve mobility and increase access to outdoor recreational spaces for people of all abilities.
• Town of Whately ($3,000)
Installing “Happy to Chat” benches to encourage spontaneous social interaction and reduce isolation in public spaces.
• United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region ($3,000)
Broadening the reach of the Digital Navigation program that provides one-on-one assistance with technology into more rural areas, improving access to services and information.
• Village Neighbors ($2,500)
Strengthening coordination of aging and dementia support services across four towns, improving connections between volunteers, responders, and residents at risk of isolation.