Lifepath Inc

BUILDING A DEMENTIA-CAPABLE REGIONAL SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS PEOPLE LIVING ALONE WITH DEMENTIA, PEOPLE WITH CO-OCCURING IDD AND DEMENTIA, AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN WESTERN MA. - EVERY PERSON LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS DESERVES TO LIVE WELL, WITH ACCESS TO THE KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THAT MAKE QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE AT EVERY STAGE OF THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY. LIFEPATH IS LAUNCHING A THREE-YEAR INITIATIVE TO BUILD A MORE CONNECTED, DEMENTIA-CAPABLE SYSTEM OF CARE ACROSS FRANKLIN AND BERKSHIRE COUNTIES IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, A REGION WHERE ONE IN FOUR RESIDENTS IS OVER 65 AND ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED DEMENTIA CARE IS LIMITED BY DISTANCE AND PROVIDER SHORTAGES. THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON THREE GROUPS OFTEN LEFT OUT OF EXISTING SERVICES: PEOPLE LIVING ALONE WITH DEMENTIA, ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) AT RISK OF DEMENTIA, AND CAREGIVERS MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS. THE INITIATIVE PURSUES FOUR GOALS: CONNECT PEOPLE LIVING ALONE WITH DEMENTIA AND INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD TO IN-HOME CARE NAVIGATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES; EQUIP FAMILY CAREGIVERS WITH EDUCATION, COACHING, AND RESPITE SUPPORT TO MANAGE BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS; TRAIN PROFESSIONALS ACROSS AGING, DISABILITY, AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO DEMENTIA; AND BUILD A SUSTAINABLE MEDICARE BILLING PATHWAY SO THESE SERVICES CAN CONTINUE BEYOND THE GRANT PERIOD. LIFEPATH'S APPROACH CENTERS ON MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, THROUGH HOME VISITS, INTERDISCIPLINARY CARE CONSULTATION, AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS INCLUDING POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS AND THE LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA TOOLKIT, DEVELOPED WITH ARIADNE LABS. STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2026 AND RUNNING 36 MONTHS, THE PROJECT WILL PRODUCE A TRAINED CARE NAVIGATION WORKFORCE, A CROSS-SECTOR DEMENTIA TRAINING CURRICULUM, UPDATED REFERRAL PROTOCOLS, AND A FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE BILLING. THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS WILL PROVIDE RIGOROUS, INDEPENDENT EVALUATION AND DRIVE CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2026-7 MLK DAY OF SERVICE PROGRAM. YOUR 2026-27 STATUTORY MATCH REQUIREMENT IS 70% AND YOUR BUDGETED MATCH IS 70.09%.