3-Time Cancer Survivor: How James is Regaining His Independence with Habitat Health PACE
“I found out that I can set goals and achieve them again.”
For James, those words carry the weight of everything he’s lived through—and his renewed sense of hope.
A Sacramento resident originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, James describes himself as “a country boy.” He’s also a three-time cancer survivor. All the radiation and chemotherapy treatments left him physically exhausted, and his weight reached 281 pounds.
Today, James says he is down to 210 pounds, thanks to support from Habitat Health and his own drive and resilience. More importantly, he is looking ahead again: toward new goals, more movement, and the next family picnic.
Watch James’ Interview
When James joined Habitat Health, he had the same goal many of our participants have, to be more active with family. James’ progress is personal to him. His story is not simply about a change on the scale. It is about rebuilding confidence after the battle of his life.
“Habitat Health has been the best thing to happen to me,” James says in the video. He points to physical therapy as one of the ways he was able to move forward.
At the Habitat Health Sacramento PACE center, James has worked on movement and strength with support from his physical therapist, Garry. He describes Garry as patient, skilled, and unwilling to let him give up on himself.
That steady encouragement matters. After serious illness or a period of limited activity, a goal can feel far away. Breaking it into manageable steps—and having someone there to keep showing up—can help make progress feel possible. He also enjoys group exercise
James’ story shows what independence can look like in everyday life. It may mean walking with more confidence, having the energy to join a family gathering, or feeling ready to set a new goal. The goal is not the same for everyone. What matters is that care begins with what is meaningful to the individual.
Why Transportation and Relationships Are Part of Care
James called Tommy, his Habitat Health driver, his “biggest motivator.”
Transportation is life-changing for many Habitat Health participants. A reliable ride can help make it easier to attend appointments, exercise, spend time with others, and maintain a routine. It connects our participants to the care and community around them.
James’ story reflects an important idea at the heart of PACE: good care is not limited to what happens during a medical appointment. Physical health, daily routines, social connection, transportation, and personal goals can all shape a person’s ability to keep living in the community.
What Is PACE?
PACE stands for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It is a comprehensive model of care for eligible adults age 55 and older who need a nursing-home level of care but can live safely in the community with PACE support. PACE brings medical care and social services together through one coordinated program. Depending on an individual participant’s care plan, support may include primary and specialty care, nursing, medications, physical or occupational therapy, meals, transportation, personal care, social services, activities, and in-home support. Habitat Health’s interdisciplinary care team works with each participant and their family or caregivers to develop an individualized care plan. The purpose is not only to address health needs, but also to support the routines, relationships, and activities that give everyday life meaning.
What James’ Story Shows About Whole-Person Care
James’ story shows how different forms of support can work together.
Physical therapy gave him a structured way to work toward strength and mobility. Group exercise created opportunities to move alongside others. Transportation helped connect him to the center. Encouragement from team members helped him stay motivated. His family gave him a reason to keep going.
No single service tells the whole story. Together, they helped James reconnect with a belief he had begun to lose: that he could set goals and achieve them again.
“So that’s what Habitat Health has done for me,” he says. “It’s gotten me to believe in myself again.”
James’s results are his own and may not reflect every participant’s experience. Habitat Health creates individualized care plans based on each participant’s needs and goals.
To learn more about Habitat Health call 1-844-664-2248