When it comes to high blood pressure, the statistics are sobering. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly half of U.S. adults have hypertension. The condition affects more than 70% of adults age 60 or older. And only about 25% of adults with high blood pressure have it under control.
Because Maine is home to many older Americans, attention to high blood pressure may be more crucial than ever. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Harpswell Aging at Home recently piloted a new program enabling residents of all ages to check their blood pressure at no cost.
The idea for this new program originated as many fresh ideas originate within HAH: Volunteers seeking to use their skills to contribute to the community envision a new program, pilot it and refine it. In this case, it was semi-retired nurse Beverly Gerberich who led the charge.
Having moved to Maine full time in December 2024, Gerberich was shifting to a part-time work schedule and mulling over how to continue making a positive difference. She discussed possibilities with Gayle Hays, head of HAH’s Health and Wellness Committee, then she talked about possible screening locations with local librarians and town officials. She also began volunteering with HAH’s Meals in a Pinch and with the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, which delivers fresh food to the satellite food pantry at the Town Office.
These experiences led Gerberich to envision no-cost pop-up blood-pressure screenings that could be offered in settings where people gather to avail themselves of other services. Examples included food pantry delivery sites, libraries, the Town Office, and HAH events such as Lunch with Friends and Repair Cafe.
Gerberich floated the idea to HAH and received approval and funding to buy the equipment needed to pilot the program at several sites. HAH also developed printed blood-pressure logs that residents can use to record their screening results.
Gerberich and other nurses who volunteer for HAH hope to draw insights from these early experiences to raise awareness of the importance of screening and persuade more people to take advantage of this opportunity.
Gerberich emphasized that she and her team aren’t providing medical advice during the screenings. Rather, they’re educating. For instance, they may teach participants how to use their personal blood-pressure monitors correctly. They also explain that certain behaviors can distort readings, such as drinking espresso shortly before a screening.
“Of course, if someone’s blood pressure is alarmingly high during these screenings, we do suggest that they speak with their doctor,” Gerberich said.
During the pilot screenings, participants seemed to appreciate the opportunity to discuss their health concerns. In themselves, Gerberich said, the hands-on screening process and the chance to talk can help ease loneliness and lower blood pressure.
What’s next? Gerberich is developing a schedule of dates, times and places for free screenings. The schedule will be published each month in the Harpswell Anchor. As she put it, “The idea is blossoming, one leaf at a time. We all can ask ourselves what skills we can bring to the community. We all can do something. And when we do, everyone benefits.”
June screenings will take place on Thursday, June 11, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Town Office; Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orr’s Island Library; Wednesday, June 17, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cundy’s Harbor Library; and Wednesday, June 24, from 1:45-3:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
