My father, Cheuk Chau Lee, fell and broke his hip back in 2017. He was 84. He spent two weeks undergoing rehab as an in-patient at Providence Healthcare. He passed away last year, but over the course of the past seven years, even as dementia began robbing him of some memories, he never forgot the care he received at Providence. He spoke about it often.
In truth, my brother Jim and I have never forgotten that time either. We didn’t know what to expect when we arrived with my father at Providence, and were astonished when we were immediately introduced to a full team of medical professionals who were going to oversee his recovery. A doctor, a nurse, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a rehab assistant. They did an amazing job, demonstrating a level of attention and care that seems incredible to us to this day.
They designed an individualized program specifically for my father. Every day, someone worked with him to help him regain his strength and mobility, and then start practicing day-to-day things like walking up and down stairs and getting in and out of a car. My father greatly appreciated their respect and patience, and their praise at his efforts encouraged him to persevere.
After my father was discharged, he was referred to the Falls Prevention Clinic at Providence as an out-patient. They asked us what we hoped the sessions would help my father accomplish, and my brother and I listed at least 10 goals. They then devised a program that incorporated exercises and fun activities such as modified badminton and darts. My father was so interested and engaged, and had such a good time. And he achieved every goal on our list.
If there is one memory from that time that really stayed with my father, it is of a nurse named Alison Phelan. It seemed she was always there for him. Helping him with things. Bringing him his meals in the common room when he forgot they were going to be delivered to his room. Alison even sometimes helped him and cared for him when she wasn’t even assigned to him.
Rehabbing from an injury can be hard, particularly for someone who is older. Alison and her colleagues not only helped my father through it, they made it into an experience he remembered with happiness and gratitude. Our family’s yearly donation to Providence Healthcare is our way of saying thank you from all of us, and we hope our contributions help the Foundation continue its important work.
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