LifePath, the Area Agency on Aging and Aging Services Access Point for Franklin County and the North Quabbin, has awarded funding to 11 community-based organizations in the first year of the annual Age & Dementia Friendly Community Grants initiative.
These one-time grants support projects that improve accessibility, foster inclusion, and promote the well-being of older adults and people living with dementia across our region. These awards are supported with funding from Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, and the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Network, a project of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).
Grants of up to $3,000 were awarded to support initiatives aligned with the Age & Dementia Friendly Franklin County and North Quabbin Regional Action Plan, a community-informed blueprint for building safer, welcoming, and equitable communities for all ages and abilities.
According to Lynne Feldman, Associate Executive Director and Planner at LifePath, “We are grateful to these organizations who have stepped forward to partner with us on making our community more age and dementia friendly. These initiatives are the culmination of deep work and commitment by residents, local organizations, and our valued funders.”
Funded projects span a range of focus areas, including improvements to outdoor spaces, strengthening ‘neighbor-to-neighbor’ Village organizations, promoting dementia awareness including Memory Cafes, transportation supports, and technology to connect older adults to civic discourse. All projects demonstrate alignment with the eight domains of livability identified by the AARP/World Health Organization Age-Friendly framework.
The eleven funded organizations include:
- Mass in Motion/Age Friendly Conway Committee
Funding supports both the creation of a one-stop home repair resource portal for older adults in Conway and the launch of an on-demand senior transportation service, improving access to daily needs, events, and social opportunities. - Shelburne Senior Center
Enhancing caregiver support and the Memory Café program by providing entertainment, speakers, and a comprehensive caregiver resource brochure. - Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
Installing ADA-compliant benches along the Alderbrook Trail to improve access for older adults and those with limited mobility. - Leverett Library
Installing a dementia-friendly “Happy to Chat Bench” at the library to foster connection and intergenerational conversation. - Northfield Senior Center
Expanding the Memory Café series to offer free meals and performances for an additional 12 sessions, providing inclusive welcoming experiences for people with memory loss and their caregivers. - Rowe Council on Aging
Increasing access and connection through the purchase of equipment to support cultural and fitness programming for people of all abilities. - Greenfield Housing Authority
Supporting older adult residents with social programming and memory support, and adding two customized computers for resident use. - Town of Athol
Creating accessible outdoor seating adjacent to the Athol Senior Center and North Quabbin Regional Veterans Center to foster gathering and inclusion. - Village Neighbors
Expanding dementia-friendly services in four towns through caregiver education, volunteer training, transportation support for older adults, people living with dementia, and caregivers. - Town of Ashfield
Increasing civic engagement through the purchase of assistive listening technology for use at civic meetings and other events at Town Hall. - Greenfield Council on Aging
Supporting volunteers in the development of The Greenfield Neighborhood, which will provide transportation and other services to promote aging in place.To learn more about the Age & Dementia Friendly Action Plan, or to find out how to get involved in future initiatives, visit here.