Legacy Park will implement new program
Aimed at senior citizens who have elevated blood pressure or blood sugar, a new community service will be implemented next month by the staff at Legacy Park.
A Senior Health Care program will begin Feb. 5 at the nursing home. Seniors may come to the front lobby of Legacy Park between 1 and 2 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of each month for a blood pressure and/or blood sugar exam.
"This is a walk-in service," said Ron Leupp, Legacy Park administrator. "There is no need to call for an appointment. A nurse will direct them when they arrive."
There will be no charge for the testing.
The results will be recorded on a patient card and can be taken to the person's next regular appointment with his primary care physician. The card will show the physician the patient's blood pressure or blood sugar history over a period of time.
Anyone being tested who shows elevated blood pressure or blood sugar will be encouraged to seek help from his or her primary care physician.
Leupp said Legacy Park staff would like to eventually expand the Senior Health Check program to include a daily medication check for seniors.
Leupp explained that often when people live alone they become non-compliant about taking their medication. "It's not that they mean to," said Leupp, "but many times they just forget to do it."
The daily "med check" would mean that someone on the Legacy Park staff would call with a reminder.
Leupp said that there may be additional services Legacy Park can offer. "We will be looking at the community and assessing people's needs in the coming months," he said. "Maybe there are other ways we can be of service to the citizens of Peabody."
Leupp said that anyone with questions about the blood pressure and blood sugar screening should contact Jackie Jaynes or Jane Johnson at Legacy Park, 983-2152.
