Oct. 07--BROOKSVILLE -- Almeta Baldwin, 59, of Brooksville says she is about at the end of her rope.
Forced to quit her job at Taco Bell last year when she developed diabetic neuropathy in her feet, she has been surviving on her $211-a-month disability check.
Her husband Richard, 49, works at the eastside Denny's and makes $10 an hour. He averages 30 to 35 hours a week.
The money doesn't go far, especially after deducting money for medications, diabetic testing strips and needles.
Food on the plate? Luckily, her husband gets to take some food home from Denny's. But even that is deducted from his paycheck, she says.
"We scrimp and save on as much as we can," she says. "Everything's going up, but I don't see it going up on my check."
Fortunately, the Baldwins' landlord is a friend who cuts them a break on rent.
"How am I supposed to live on $211 a month, get my pills, pay my bills that need to be paid. How am I supposed to do it?" she asked. "Outside I'm smiling but inside I'm screaming."
Baldwin admits that if not for the Hernando County Health Department, which provides her with insulin and other services, she would have it worse.
Baldwin's story is not unlike hundreds of others who are undergoing tough health issues during this recession that doesn't seem to abate.
And the economy is taking its toll on the other side of the equation.
Dr. Kellie Maw, medical executive director for the county's health department, said budget cuts have cut her staff by about one-third during the past few years so that her 120-person agency has more limited resources.
And it's also causing temper outbreaks. Staffers have been cussed at and threatened, she said.
"People are angry at the system, so when they come in, they end up taking their frustration out because they see us as the face of the health care system," Maw said.
Living, eating right
takes a back seat
Health professionals generally agree there is an undisputable link between the amount of money people have and their overall health.
In some cases, it costs money to be healthy. Buying fresh or organic fruits and vegetables to supplement the diet can add upwards of $20 to the weekly grocery bill.
Parents reason that they can feed a family of four on $20 at the local fast food place.
During this recession, the fast food restaurants have prospered. The value, $1-priced fries or burgers can certainly be attractive when money is tight.
But eating lousy can also kill you.
Maw said the department started a diabetes program five or six years ago and scheduled weekly classes on proper diet and disease management.
Maw said attendance is down. Some can't afford the drive to the health care office, some are working two jobs and don't have the time. For others, if it's a choice between medication and food, the latter wins.
Because people cannot afford the foods they are supposed to eat, county health officials are seeing an increase in average blood sugar levels and the related illnesses and complications that come from neglecting diabetes.
Just as serious, Maw said she is seeing people self-medicating and using home remedies to save money.
Maw said she has gotten reports of people using super glue for closing lesions, which can be dangerous, she said.
Angie McCabe, nursing supervisor at the Brooksville office of the health department, said staff there is trying to prescribe more of the $4 medications or free antibiotics available at local retailers.
"Even if they're not the best medications for the patient, we're having to tailor the meds we prescribe so at least there is a possibility they'll get meds to help them," McCabe said.
Doing what they can
The health department also sponsors "Project Access," which helped more than 500 people last year who couldn't pay for specialized medical care.
Betty Robey, the health department's volunteer services center specialist who coordinates Project Access, said 60 doctors have volunteered their services and see people on a regular basis. The county kicks in $75,000 annually to help defray costs of the program, she said.
Health department officials continue to recruit volunteer specialists in such areas as cardiac care, dermatology and orthopedic services. The health department offers mostly primary care services and is not specialized to treat all conditions.
The department is also negotiating with area diagnostic centers to offer reduced rates for such things as X-rays, sonograms and mammograms.
For the Baldwins, the health department has been a godsend. She admits they couldn't make it without its resources.
"I'm just going to hang on as long as I can," says Almeta Baldwin, who credits her faith in helping her get over these tough times. "There's nothing else I can do."
Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.
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