LifePath

The Joyful Expressions! and Community Sing took place yesterday afternoon at LifePath. Visitors browsed multi-media exhibits of artwork created during a series of arts sessions that LifePath has been bringing to older adults across Franklin County — at Elm Terrace in Greenfield, Highland Village in Shelburne, and Sanderson Place in Sunderland, as well as at LifePath’s own Community Engagement Center (CEC) here in Greenfield. Joyful Expressions! was made possible in part through a grant from Mass Cultural Council.

Choral director Joe Toritto led visitors through multiple group songs, while professional artist Debra Cootware demonstrated an art session similar to the ones that encouraged older adults to produce the beautiful art on display. The event culminated with ice cream sundaes. Thanks to everyone who participated!

If you have Medicare parts A & B, and you or a loved one have been diagnosed with dementia, then you may be eligible for support through the new GUIDE program. Contact LifePath at 413-773-5555 to learn more! Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc.

Most people know someone with a food allergy. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), about 33 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, including 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children. The prevalence is rising. While most food allergies develop in childhood, they can occur at any age, and adults can even develop new allergies later in life. Almost half of adults with food allergies report developing at least one during adulthood. Older adults should be aware of food allergies because symptoms can be worsened by a weakened immune system or masked by other health issues, and the consequences can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening.

A food allergy occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to something in a food, usually a protein the body thinks is a threat. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and affect different body parts. They can include an itchy or runny nose, sneezing, an itchy mouth, swelling of the tongue or lips, hives, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, wheezing, tightening of the throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, a drop in blood pressure, weak pulse, and feeling dizzy or faint. Symptoms can be unpredictable, with different symptoms or levels of severity from one reaction to the next.

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Nutrition Notes: Understanding Food Allergies - LifePath Print this articleMost people know someone with a food allergy. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), about 33 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, including 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children. The prevalence is rising. While most food allergies develop in child...