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Photograph of two elderly individuals seated indoors, facing forward in a room with orange walls and a whiteboard in the background. One woman wears a red coat and white knit hat, while the other woman wears a white sweater with a green lanyard and ID badge.
How the PACE Program in Kentucky Helped Karin and Florence Stay Independent

Karin Crocker and Florence Harbin live just steps apart.

They are neighbors in the same apartment complex. They attend the same Care Guide Partners PACE Center. And yet, they came to PACE for very different reasons.

What they share is something many older adults understand deeply: a desire to remain independent, make smart decisions, and continue living at home for as long as possible.

The PACE program in Kentucky made that possible for both women, not by treating them the same, but by meeting each of them exactly where they are.

Karin: Making the Smart Decision to Keep Going

Photograph of an elderly person wearing a white sweatshirt and a green lanyard with an ID badge, seated indoors against a peach-colored wall.

Karin Crocker (pictured) joined Care Guide Partners PACE in May 2025 after a long period of careful consideration.

Originally from Germany, Karin built her life in the United States around self-reliance. She learned English, raised four children, and managed her finances thoughtfully as she got older. Independence matters to her deeply.

“I want to do what I can for as long as I can,” Karin said.

Over time, though, financial pressure became harder to ignore.

“My rent keeps going up,” she explained. “My bank account stays the same.”

Karin was still living independently and managing her daily life, but the anxiety followed her into the quiet moments at night. The worry was not primarily about health. It was about money, about making the right decision, and about avoiding anything that felt uncertain.

Karin is keenly aware of scams and protective of her personal information. She asks questions, and she asks them again.

“I asked three times if I really qualified,” she said. “I wanted to be sure.”

What finally gave her confidence was trust.

A member of the PACE team came to her home, answered her questions face to face, and clearly explained how the program works. Karin understood what would change, what would not, and how her benefits would be handled.

Once enrolled, the relief was immediate.

PACE now covers all her medical care through one coordinated program, including doctor visits, specialists, vision care, dental care, and medications delivered automatically each month. Transportation to medical appointments and the PACE Center is included as well.

Karin still owns a car and drives, but she appreciates having the option to ride in the PACE van.

“That takes another thing off your mind,” she said.

She chooses how often she comes to the PACE Center. She typically visits once a month. When the weather turned and she couldn’t tend to her plants as easily, she decided to come twice a month instead.

“I know it’s good for me to get out and be around people,” she said.

PACE did not take away Karin’s independence. It helped her protect it.

“It helps you breathe,” Karin said. “You don’t go to bed worrying so much anymore.”

Florence: Finding Connection as a People Person

Photograph of an elderly person seated indoors wearing a red coat, patterned shirt, and white knit hat with a pom-pom.

Florence Harbin (pictured) joined Care Guide Partners PACE in November 2024 for a different reason.

Florence describes herself as a people person. As mobility became more challenging, the hardest part was not medical. It was loneliness.

“So lonely,” she shared. “I didn’t have anything to do anymore.”

Florence uses a motorized wheelchair outside her apartment and a walker indoors for light tasks. She continues to live independently, but getting out and staying connected had become harder over time.

PACE helped make that possible again.

Transportation allows Florence to get to medical appointments and to the PACE Center without worry. In-home support services also help her manage daily life by providing assistance with cleaning, making it easier to remain safely at home.

But what Florence values most is having somewhere to go and people to talk to.

“I enjoy the socialization here,” she said.

At the PACE Center, Florence found conversation, activities, and a sense of routine. Being around others, sharing meals, and having something on the calendar made her days feel fuller again.

PACE also coordinates her medical care and medications, reducing the need to juggle multiple appointments or systems.

For Florence, PACE is not about giving something up. It is about staying connected to life and to people.

Same Program, Different Paths

Karin and Florence are neighbors. They have different needs, different personalities, and different reasons for choosing PACE.

Karin values financial stability, careful planning, and control over her decisions. Florence values connection, routine, and being around people.

PACE meets both women exactly where they are — bringing together medical care, prescriptions, dental and vision services, transportation, and in-home support through one coordinated program.

For Karin, that means peace of mind and financial predictability.
For Florence, it means mobility support and meaningful social connection.

Both women continue living in their own apartments. Both choose how and when they participate. Both trusted the program because it was introduced through someone they already trusted.

Florence was one of the neighbors who helped Karin feel confident in her decision.

“That mattered,” Karin said.

Care Guide Partners PACE serves qualifying adults 55 and older who live in the service area and want support to remain safely at home.

If you’re wondering whether PACE could be right for you or someone you love, you can reach out online or call 270.600.2580, TTY: 270.600.2589 to learn more about Care Guide Partners PACE. We’re here to answer your questions and help explore your options.

For Karin and Florence, PACE did not change who they are. It simply adjusted around their lives, so they could keep living them on their own terms, right next door to each other.

 

 

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