UCI Health SeniorHealth staffers sponsor 50 senior citizen “angels” for holiday gift drive

September 30, 2019

UCI Health SeniorHealth Center clinicians and staff have adopted 50 senior citizen “angels” as part of a partnership with The Council on Aging SmileMakers Holiday Gift project.

Until Thanksgiving, geriatric medicine staff will shop and collect gifts for older men and women who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities throughout Orange County.

“The holidays can be a very difficult time for seniors in our community; especially for those who are isolated. Our faculty and staff are thrilled contribute to Smile Makers and bring joy to older adults in our community.” said Lisa Gibbs, MD, director of the UCI Health SeniorHealth Center and chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine & Gerontology.  “A small gesture like a new shirt or pair of slippers lets them know that we care.”

Participating seniors write 1-2 items on their list, and staff members shop to fulfill this holiday wish. Employees have the option to “adopt” angel gift tags that include a specific gift wish for an isolated senior.

All items are new, and can include:

  • A new shirt or pair of pants
  • Light coat or jacket
  • Pajamas or slippers
  • Purse or wallet
  • Scarf or lap blanket
  • Specialized food or snack items

The Council on Aging will collect the donated items from the UCI Medical Center in early December to distribute to more than 6,000 Orange County seniors.

 

UCI Health comprises the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at primary and specialty care offices across Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, California. The 417-bed acute care hospital provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, and behavioral health and rehabilitation services. UCI Medical Center features Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.