July 14, 2026
For Josie Morgan, life didn’t always feel steady or supported. After leaving a relationship and with family far away in Texas, she found herself navigating life largely on her own, without the resources or confidence she needed to truly thrive.
“I joined PACE® because I needed help at home,” Josie said.
What she didn’t know then was just how much that decision would change her life.
A fresh start
Immanuel Pathways of Central Iowa is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®). The program provides comprehensive healthcare and social services to older adults (referred to as participants) who live independently in their community.
Participants receive comprehensive, coordinated, and customized care across various settings, including their homes and the Immanuel Pathways PACE® center.
Josie’s path to PACE® followed a serious health scare. After being hospitalized due to complications from diabetes, it became clear she needed more consistent support. With guidance from her Department of Health and Human Services worker, Josie was introduced to Immanuel Pathways of Central Iowa in Windsor Heights. She soon enrolled in the center’s PACE® program.
What started as a difficult time for Josie became the beginning of something new.
Learning to trust herself again
Little by little, Josie began to rebuild her confidence. With the support of her interdisciplinary team, everyday tasks that once felt overwhelming became possible.
“I feel great,” she said. “I am able to do so much on my own and can always ask for help from my social worker.”
She’s learned how to navigate public transportation, manage her finances, and take care of errands independently, things she hadn’t done before.
“I have learned to use paratransit, go shopping by myself, use an ATM, and pay my bills and save money in my bank,” she said. “I didn’t know how to do these things before.”
Each step forward has helped her feel more grounded, more capable, and more in control of her life.
Finding connection along the way
At the PACE® center, Josie has found more than support: she has found community. Her days now have a comforting rhythm. She greets familiar faces, shares meals, and joins in engaging activities.
“I get here and say ‘Hi’ to my social worker. I go have breakfast and coffee and then do the activities like bingo and card games,” she said.
She especially enjoys outings and time spent being around others. That sense of belonging has made all the difference to her.
“I love it here. I want to come every day,” she said. “I love to get out and walk and be with my friends.”
Health, stability, and peace of mind
With regular care and support, Josie has also made important strides in managing her health. What once felt uncertain is now part of a steady routine.
“I feel better. I am healthier and can control my blood sugar and always make sure that I take my medicine,” she said.
For Josie, that consistency brings confidence, not just in her health, but in her future.
A life moving forward
Those who know Josie best have seen just how far she’s come. Shelby Burt, Program Relationship Manager at Immanuel Pathways of Central Iowa, said Josie’s success is shown in how much she is thriving.
“From being a DHS referral to now being able to navigate finding a new apartment with support, moving, paying bills, managing her finances, and always making sure she has money,” Shelby said, “Josie always knows how to make people smile and never has a bad day. She is truly someone who has grown and has been able to find all the good in her life.”
Today, Josie is living with a renewed sense of independence and joy. Her story is a quiet but powerful reminder: with the right support, steady encouragement, and a place to belong, life can feel whole again.
