There was a time when Donna Cornett worried her world was growing smaller by the day.
After the loss of her husband, years of declining health, and mounting challenges that made everyday life more difficult, the Des Moines-area resident found herself facing a future she never imagined. Her mobility had become severely limited. Her depression and anxiety had deepened. Even getting around her own home was becoming a struggle.
Then, during a stay at a skilled rehabilitation facility, an unexpected conversation changed everything. Today, Donna is not only making remarkable progress in her physical and mental health through Immanuel Pathways PACE® of Central Iowa, but is also one of the program's most vocal champions. She shares her story and speaks up on behalf of older adults who need support to remain living independently.
“It’s just been a blessing in my life,” Donna said.
Donna's family story is one of resilience and adaptability. After meeting her husband, the couple brought together a blended family that included his three children, her daughter, and eventually two children of their own. When her husband accepted a job opportunity with Amoco, they moved to northwest Indiana, where they spent two decades raising their younger children and building a life together before returning to Iowa to be closer to family and grandchildren.
“We found out on a Thursday; he was gone by Sunday,” she said.
Already living with depression and anxiety, Donna found herself navigating grief while also dealing with growing physical limitations. Chronic pain, worsening mobility issues, isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lack of affordable healthcare options all took their toll. Over time, simple daily tasks became increasingly difficult.
“My knees were getting worse. My back was getting worse,” she said. “I was struggling to walk, struggling to stand up. I couldn’t get in and out of my bed because every time I did, I would have difficulties.”
Eventually, her health and mobility reached a crisis point. Following a fall at home, Donna was hospitalized in late 2023. The hospitalization marked the beginning of a long road back, but there were still many obstacles ahead.
After nearly a month in the hospital, Donna was transferred to a skilled rehabilitation facility in Des Moines. She admits she was devastated.
“I bawled because it was like, no, I didn't want to be in this nursing home. I wanted to go home,” she said.
While at the rehabilitation facility, Donna spent a great deal of time praying for a way forward. Not long after, someone from Immanuel Pathways PACE® of Central Iowa stopped by her room. The conversation was brief, but impactful. After learning more about the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®), Donna agreed to explore whether she might qualify. The next day, she received good news.
“They called me and said, ‘Hey, you’re approved,’” Donna said.
She worked hard throughout rehabilitation with one goal in mind: returning home. On February 1, 2024, she officially began her journey with Immanuel Pathways PACE® of Central Iowa.
“I feel that if God had not intervened and sent that lady to my room, I probably would have been stuck in a nursing home and died,” she said. “I was feeling in a dark place.”
When Donna first arrived at the PACE® center, she was using a wheelchair and could barely stand for extended periods. Today, she walks with a walker. In some situations, she’s even able to take steps on her own.
A combination of physical therapy, regular exercise opportunities, medical support, and specialized equipment has helped her regain strength and independence.
The changes have extended far beyond the center’s walls. Donna can once again attend church. She enjoys Iowa Wild hockey games with her family. She participates in center outings and activities. A mobility scooter obtained through the program gives her greater freedom when she’s out and about.
“I've gotten to where I can take steps without a walker,” she said. “Not too many, but the physical therapy here has been amazing.”
Her health journey continues, but the progress has been significant. Since enrolling in Immanuel Pathways PACE® of Central Iowa, she has a combination of medical support, increased mobility, physical therapy, exercise opportunities, and access to treatments that were previously out of reach. These, combined with healthy weight loss, have played a major role in improving her ability to walk, participate in activities, and regain her independence.
“I could have gotten spinal meningitis and died,” she said. “Had I not been with Immanuel in this program, I probably wouldn't have gotten the surgery I needed.”
While Donna is proud of the strides she has made physically, some of the most significant changes have happened in areas that are harder to measure. When she first heard the words “adult day center,” she admits she was skeptical. Mentally, she struggled with what the experience might be like.
Once Donna arrived at the PACE® center, her perception quickly changed. Rather than finding a place where people simply pass the time, she discovered opportunities to participate in crafts, painting, and exercise classes, go on outings, and socialize with fellow participants and staff.
She also found something she hadn't realized she was missing: a renewed sense of purpose.
“I feel like God has given me a purpose here that I can connect with other people,” she said.
As someone who has faced depression and anxiety herself, Donna now frequently encourages and supports other participants who are experiencing similar challenges. Whether she’s sharing advice, listening to someone's concerns, or offering encouragement through a craft project, she looks for ways to help others feel less alone. That growth has played an important role in her overall well-being and outlook on life.
“My social life has really increased,” she said.
Donna's involvement with Immanuel Pathways PACE® of Central Iowa doesn't stop at participating in services and activities: she has also become an advocate.
“If it’s not brought up, how’s it going to get fixed?” she said.
Donna regularly talks with friends, neighbors, and others who may also benefit from PACE® services. When discussing the program, she focuses on what mattered most in her own life: access to healthcare, transportation, support services, social interaction, and the ability to continue living at home.
“This program has helped me tremendously,” she said.
Her message is simple: Older adults deserve the resources that help them live safely, maintain their independence, and enjoy a better quality of life.
When Donna reflects on where she was before joining Immanuel Pathways PACE® of Central Iowa and where she is today, the difference is remarkable. The woman who once feared she might never return home is now attending the center three days a week, exploring new places, building friendships, working toward her health goals, and helping others.
“At one point, I was wheelchair-bound,” she said. “They were able to help me get from a wheelchair to a walker. I'm able to stay in my home.”
Donna's story is still being written, and she has come a long way. For her, progress means more than improved mobility. It means hope, purpose, and the chance to keep moving forward, one step at a time.