For Lauri Andrews, Nov. 25 started out like most any other day in her duties as Boothbay Region District Nurse. Her visit with Wally Dodge, 74, of East Boothbay marked her 10,000th visit as district nurse. 

Since 2014, Andrews has consulted with nearly 40 patients per month. She provides medical services not covered by insurance to residents in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport. Andrews’ duties include IV administrations, medication management, blood draws, blood pressure monitoring and wellness checks. The day before Thanksgiving marked Andrews’ milestone.  

“I’ve met a lot of people and see them on a weekly basis. I’ve known them for years so you really get a chance to get to know them pretty well,” Andrews said. 

Dr. George Gregory created the district nurse job in 1952 to provide residents with additional medical services not covered by insurance. The program is guided by a nine-person executive board which contracts with Lincoln Health for a 36-hour per week home health nurse. The program receives money from fundraisers and the three participating towns, and seeks federal and state grants for operating costs. Patients are also asked for an optional $10 donation per visit.

Boothbay Region District Nurse Association Board President Holly Stover said the program allows local seniors to “remain safe and age in place” at their homes. Stover first experienced the program when her grandparents received regular visits. She was asked four years ago to join the board.  “The reason why this program remains strong is the commitment to keeping people safe and in their homes,” Stover said. “By keeping them in their homes, it avoids costly and unnecessary hospitalization which benefits us all.”

Andrews became the district nurse in 2014. Besides her role as a healthcare provider, she has also been known to shovel snow, replace a light bulb, or check a patient’s mail. 2020 has been an unusual year for Andrews and her patients due to coronavirus. She has adapted by scheduling more phone visits to monitor patients’ conditions.  “I began doing more phone consultations in April and May, and just started recently to do more home visits, again,” Andrews said.

A major program benefit is it allows a health care professional to monitor patients on a regular basis. Andrews reports to physicians about their patients’ condition and progress. “Wellness checks are a big part of the program. Many patients are seniors and live alone so this is an important function for patient evaluation,” she said. 

Wally Dodge has seen the district nurse since 2000. He became aware of the program when his brother began receiving visits. Dodge has diabetes and the nurse checks his condition, monitors his medication and provides an occasional shot. “She is real nice and very pleasant, and I like her very much. She does a great job,” he said.

BRDNA board member Ken Rayle tracks patient visits and earlier this fall became aware Andrews was closing in on the milestone. “This is a remarkable achievement for the program,” Rayle said. “Many people in our community are elderly. If they don’t have a reliable network or don’t have mobility, this provides them a chance to remain in their home and receive the medical care they need,” Rayle said.

In her six years as district nurse, Andrews believes the program serves an important community role. “It’s not based on age, money or income. The only criteria is do you have a need not being met by your doctor and would this get you through a difficult period in your life,” she said.