Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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1 Page 7 In her spare time Brown Aides Salvation “I want to contribute my time and talents so they do the most good,” says Mary Brown, Lydia Second Shift Spinner, who is a volun teer worker for the Clinton Salvation Army. Two hours a day, three days a week, Brown puts her own household responsibilities aside to help maintain the Clinton thrift store. “We get lots of clothes and other items that are just packed away in boxes and bags,” stated Brown. “Clothing must be sorted according to size, whether they are for male or female — winter or summer. House hold items have to be displayed or arranged for someone in need to pick up,” she noted, It pays to be an informed consumer, espe cially when it comes to decisions about your health care. 1. Ask your doctor questions. Develop a working relationship with your doctor. Make sure you completely understand any diagno sis and recommended treatment, and dis cuss the risks, costs and alternatives to the procedures. 2. Buy only the health care you need. Having a personal physician you can call who's familiar with your medical history can help you make wise decisions about the care you really need. It can help you keep minor ailments from becoming major illnesses and also prevent your spending time and money on health care you don't need. 3. Choose generic prescriptions. When available, generic drugs usually cost much less than brand name products. Costs also vary between pharmacies, so shop and com pare. 4. Keep good health records. Inform your doctor if you've had the same or similar tests done so you can avoid unnecessary tests. 5. Save the emergency room for emergen cies. Studies show that over half of all visits to the emergency room aren't for emergen cies, and that many people use the emergen cy room only because the doctor's office is closed. Call your physician first for minor problems and save expensive emergency room treatment. while looking over a huge assortment of donations. “I try to go through all of the racks each day, making sure items can be found easi ly,” she continued. “It would be almost im possible for the thrift store manager, Mrs. Chandler, to keep the items straight.” When asked why she chose to give so much of her time to the Salvation Army, she pointed out that large numbers of indi viduals are assisted through the agency. “You just cannot imagine the feeling I have knowing I've played a role in helping some one in need.” “The thrift store affords the fortunate an 6. Know your benefits. Review your health care coverage before you need it. When you know exactly what’s covered, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. 7. Have testing done first. Ask if you can have tests required for an upcoming hospital opportunity to give contributions and it affords those in need assistance — food, clothing, fuel, etc. Very few of us who have a regular job realize the number of people in our community who need help. Many are elderly, some have prolonged sickness and others are just poor. It makes me proud to give my time and energy to an organization which assists those in need,” added Brown. Brown is no stranger to the Salvation Army circles. “As a younger person, I used to work in the Salvation Army store run by my aunt in Orangeburg. On Sundays, we would attend their church. “I guess that’s why I still feel as strongly admission done on an outpatient basis. This can save you time and money. 8. Use the hospital wisely. Avoid weekend hospital admissions for non-emergencies. Ask if the prescribed procedure can be done on an outpatient basis. Get a second opinion on non-emergency surgery. Use same day surgery when possible. Recovery at home, when appropriate, is less expensive and often more comfortable and more conve nient. Use the hospital only when it is the best option. 9. Request an itemized copy of your hos pital bill. Even if most of your bill will be * covered by your group health plan, question any charges that seem incorrect or that don't seem justified. If there’s a problem, discuss it with Truman Owens or Lucille White, our insurance specialist. 10. Most important, stay well. Lifestyle- related causes kill 76 percent of the 2 mil lion Americans who die each year. We spend over $100 billion dollars each year on medical care directly related to our bad habits. Take a good look at your lifestyle. Do you smoke? Are you overweight? Do you drink too much? Are you over-stressed? Do you get enough sleep? Take care of yourself ... it’s the single most important thing you can do for yourself and to keep health care costs down. Army as I do about the organization,” noted Brown. “As a volunteer worker, I have an oppor- . tunity to talk with many different people and learn more about their problems,” she con tinued. “The Salvation Army is a United Way Agency and has helped many Clinton em ployees in times of need,” said Sonny King who coordinates the Clinton Mills United Way. “We are fortunate to have an employee like Mary who is willing to take time away from her own activities to help make this local project a success,” noted King. General Manager Barry Hooks is shown presenting James E. Hall a $100 savings bond for submitting Geneva’s winning safety slogan. ’’Carelessness does not pay. Practice safety every day/’ was his winning entry. Forms Ready “Prescription drug forms for 1986 may be picked up from the plant nurses or a member of the personnel department staff,” says In surance Counselor Truman Owens. “This year,” noted Owens, “the forms must be completed and signed by the drug gist before they can be submitted to Provi dent Insurance.” Employees should be Informed