At age 71, a Tucson-area musician and ArchWell Health member is staying active, doing what he loves, and getting the support he needs to keep going.

A second act, on his terms

On any given week in Tucson, Arizona, you might find Paul H. tuning his guitar, running through a setlist, and getting ready to play.

At age 71, he’s not slowing down. If anything, he’s just getting started. “I’m living my dream,” Paul says.

Music has been part of his life since he was a kid. He picked up his first instrument at age 10 and never really put it down. Over the years, life took him in other directions. He built a career as an executive chef and worked across the country. Music stayed in the background, something he came back to whenever he could.

Now, it’s front and center.

The power of song

These days, Paul plays across his community, bringing familiar songs and a little bit of joy wherever he goes. For him, it’s not about the stage. It’s about connection.

“You see people light up when you play something they remember,” he says. “That’s the cool thing about music. It opens people’s minds and their hearts.”

Finding his way back

Getting here wasn’t easy. After retiring, Paul faced a serious health setback that made it hard to breathe, let alone sing. For a time, the future he had imagined for himself felt out of reach.

But he kept working. Day by day, step by step, he built himself back up. “The first time I could sing again, it was amazing,” he says. “Everybody in the room was crying. Including me.”

Support that moves with him

Today, Paul is back to doing what he loves, with support from his doctor and care team at ArchWell Health.

From the beginning, something felt different. “They know me,” he says. “I don’t feel like a number there. I feel like a person.”

That support extends beyond his ArchWell Health center. When Paul is out playing or on the move, he knows help is always within reach. With ArchWell Health’s 24-hour Call Us First phone line, he can call and speak with a provider who knows his health history and can help him understand what is going on, and what to do next.

It gives him peace of mind, especially when something unexpected comes up.

“They take care of everything,” he says.

Looking ahead

That kind of support has given him the confidence to keep going. “ArchWell Health helped me get back into my life,” Paul says.

Now, his focus is simple. Keep playing. Keep connecting. Keep moving forward. At age 71, Paul isn’t looking back.

He’s looking ahead to the next gig.