Northwest Community Healthcare’s (NCH) “Be Healthy Stay Healthy” program brightened the lives of dozens of senior citizens in the northwest suburbs recently when hand-delivered anonymous gifts were delivered to seniors living in three local apartment buildings.
As part of the Angel Tree Holiday Gift Giving Program, more than 70 low-income senior citizens received gifts, ranging from sweaters and robes to retail gift cards and vitamins. Members of NCH’s IT, Radiology, Patient Accounting and Access Services departments generously handed out the gifts to seniors living in Palatine and Arlington Heights.
“The anticipation of the Angel Tree Holiday Gift Giving program lasts all year long,” said Sheila Rumoro, who coordinates NCH’s Angel Tree program. “These seniors are financially challenged and often times have outlived family and friends. They look at the program as part of their family.”
Throughout the year, NCH’s “Be Healthy, Stay Healthy” program offers regular check-ups, health management instruction and physician referrals to hundreds of elderly patients who are struggling to maintain their health and independence. Twice a month, a nurse and social worker from NCH’s Home Care visit the senior citizens and monitor their vital signs, answer medication questions and help the residents manage any chronic illnesses. They also provide instructions on fall prevention, pain management and nutrition.
“The seniors are so happy and appreciative when they receive these gifts,” Rumoro said. “Programs like these advocate aging with dignity.”
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