新年快樂！

爸爸現在已經在養老院剛超過三個星期。他正在慢慢適應，我認為他慢慢在恢復 - 現在他可以舉起手臂，使他坐的時候比較舒服，雙腿也可以舉的比以前高一點。而跌倒的左腿，仍然比較衰弱。他希望能再度站起來走路，我已要求療養院，看看是否有額外的物理治療可以幫助他。雖然我知道希望很渺茫，但我們必須盡一切。

在聖誕節和新年期間 Trembaths養老院，已經能夠照顧父親的精神需求 - 有很多教會詩班來唱聖誕歌，他每天參加崇拜，並接受兩個院牧的探訪，一個是衛理公會牧師和一個聖公會牧師。

昨天在看到他，覺得他的身體比他過去很長的一段時間還好。事實上，他現在有24小時的護理照顧和幫助，以及規律的三餐和營養，似乎有很大的進步。他的魅力猶存 - 對他說話，他記得過去的事情，他仍然可以說笑話，我仍然能夠取笑他，他仍然有強烈意見，清楚的回應，並描述清楚的記憶。他仍然關心他的外表和尊嚴，這和療養院的主張是吻合的，我認為這裡的一切對他個人的福利或自尊都是好的。

養老院的工作人員都表示，他們喜歡照顧他，因為他總是很樂觀，積極和感激。但願這種情況能持續下去。

再次非常感謝您的支持，

Happy New Year!

Dad has now been at the nursing home for just over three weeks. He is slowly settling in. I think he is getting some strength back – he is able now to lift himself with his arms so that he can make himself comfortable in a chair and he is able to lift both his legs a little higher than he could. It is still the left leg, which was broken, which is weaker. He would love to walk again. I have asked the nursing home to see if any additional physiotherapy might be helpful for him. In my heart I fear it is probably now a lost cause, but we must try everything.

Over the Christmas and New Year period Trembaths, the nursing home, have been able to look after Dad’s spiritual needs – there have been many carol services and daily services which he attends and he receives visits from two chaplains, one Methodist and one Church of England.

Having seen him yesterday I feel he is looking physically better than he has for a long time. The fact that he now has 24 hour nursing care and assistance, as well as nourishing and regular food, appears to be making a big difference. He is still quite a force to be reckoned with – talking to him about things he can remember in the past, he can still laugh and joke and I am still able to tease him, and he expresses strong opinions, clearly reasoned, and describes clear memories. He still cares about his appearance and has self-respect and dignity which the nursing home advocate, and we feel this is great for his general well-being and positive demeanor.

The staff in the nursing home all say they enjoy looking after him because he is always so cheerful, positive and grateful. Let’s hope this continues.

Many thanks again for your support,

Regards,

Don