Bayhealth Offers Free Health Screenings

For Bob Staab, good health is too important to leave in the hands of a machine.  So he's ditched the blood pressure device he bought off the pharmacy store shelf and now makes a weekly trip to the free blood pressure, pulse and weight screenings offered at Bayhealth - Smyrna Clayton Medical Services.

"I'm not trusting my health to a home device.  I want the peace of mind of knowing that I'm getting my blood pressure checked by a professional who knows what she's doing," said the 71-year-old Staab, who lives in the Bonayre retirement community in Smyrna.  "I can't always get to the doctor's office each week for a check so I'm glad that I have a free clinic to go to every Wednesday that's right down the street."

Staab began regular blood pressure checks more than 20 years ago when he was diagnosed as being hypotensive (low blood pressure) and although he has no major health issues now, he believes the checks are the key to being proactive and to maintaining an active lifestyle as a senior.

"I just joined a senior softball league and have picked a glove and bat for the first time in more than 25 years.  I also love to bowl.  I know the only way to stay active is to be healthy and keep an eye on my blood pressure," Staab said.

That's a sentiment echoed by 82-year-old Ed Gander, who is a friend and neighbor of Staab at Bonayre.

"By getting my blood pressure, pulse and weigh checked each week, it gives me some peace of mind.   I also have the chance to ask the nurse about any health questions that I have.  They've been great," said Gander.

The free blood pressure checks are part of Bayhealth's STEPS to Healthy Aging Program which includes free weekly health screenings in Smyrna, Dover and Milford.  The free STEPS lecture series features a wide variety of Bayhealth physicians speaking about a timely health topic each month at Kent General Hospital in Dover.  For more information about the Bayhealth STEPS To Healthy Aging program, please (302) 744-6227 or please visit www.bayhealth.org/steps.