September 5, 2025
For most of her life, Jeannie Fuller put others first. She cared for her husband, Russell, through years of serious illness. But after he passed away, Jeannie found herself in unfamiliar territory: grieving, isolated, and struggling to care for herself.
That’s when she picked up the phone and called Immanuel Pathways of Central Iowa.
During their 50 years of marriage, Jeannie and Russell were inseparable. During his last 20 years, Jeannie was Russell’s full-time caregiver. As his health declined due to diabetes, dialysis, and mobility loss, she helped with every aspect of his daily care.
“I got him up, gave him a bath, made sure he had everything he needed,” she said. “Every morning. Every day.”
After Russell passed away in January 2023, Jeannie was overwhelmed with grief and unsure of her next steps. She had known about Immanuel Pathways of Central Iowa – Russell had enrolled in the program for transportation to dialysis appointments – but had postponed joining herself to continue caring for him.
“The day he died, I called them in tears,” she said. “I wasn’t taking care of myself. I had stopped my medication. I was just lost.”
That call marked a turning point for Jeannie. Staff at Immanuel Pathways responded immediately, offering her a space of support and stability.
Immanuel Pathways is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®). It provides medical care, long-term services, and support required by older adults. The Immanuel Pathways staff helped Jeannie focus on her health needs and begin caring for herself again.
“They got me back on my pills. They even took me to a beauty salon,” she said. “That might sound small, but it meant something. I hadn’t done that in a long time.”
Jeannie quickly became a daily participant in the program. She found a new sense of routine and community at the Immanuel Pathways center, which she attends five days a week. She participates in church services, bingo, and social outings. One of her favorite experiences so far was attending her first-ever baseball game.
“I had never been to one in my life, and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “It’s something I wouldn’t have done before.”
Immanuel Pathways also helped Jeannie through difficult moments. When she became seriously ill with vertigo and infections, nurses provided in-home care and helped her with housekeeping while she recovered.
“They didn’t have to do that, but they did,” she said. “They cared enough to make sure I was okay.”
The Pathways team also helped her find and transition into a new apartment less than a mile from the center. Staff supported her through the move and checked in regularly to ensure she felt safe and settled.
Today, Jeannie is not only participating in the program – she encourages others, too. She recently started helping another participant who struggles with leaving the house, joining her on transportation rides, and group activities.
“I know what that’s like,” she said. “If I can help someone else come out of their shell, I will.”
Jeannie says the program has given her something she didn’t think she’d find again: purpose and connection.
“Pathways has helped me do things I never thought I’d do. I’ve made friends. I feel better. I feel stronger,” she said. “I love this place. I’m not giving it up.”
