Staying warm becomes a luxury

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Staying warm becomes a luxury 2001-01-27 By Scott Cooper Staff Writer

Inez Campbell must make a choice -- food, medicine or heat. It was hard enough for the 79-year-old to stretch her monthly Social Security check before the price of natural gas skyrocketed. Now that her gas bill has arrived, staying warm has become a luxury she can't afford.

"I just have to wait and hope some money comes in," she said. "I've tried DHS (Department of Human Services), but that hasn't done much."

Enjoying a free hot lunch Friday at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church with 15 other seniors, Campbell was not the only one facing hard choices. Some decided to cut back on food, others on utilities and others on "just everything."

After a meal of chow mein, beets, egg rolls and fruit, Ray and Martha Mooney considered what the future may hold. They paid their $131 gas bill this month but worried what it will cost next month to heat their two-bedroom, uninsulated house.

"It may make it hard on us," Martha Mooney said. "We may just have to bundle up."

To ease the burden of finding a hot meal, seniors are heading to churches and senior centers to eat. The Oklahoma County Nutrition Food Program operates several kitchens, including the one at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church run by Rose Levessy.

For those who can't make it to Levessy's kitchen, the program delivers meals to homebound seniors. John Ford has made those deliveries for more than four years and is concerned about what he has observed lately.

"Some homes I go in and they're turning the heat up. Then some homes just barely have it on to keep warm, and that's not good," he said. "They're wearing coats around the house or have two sweaters on."

This has certainly been the winter of discontent for customers of Oklahoma Natural Gas. If the record-setting cold temperatures and winter storms weren't enough, a dramatic rise in the price of natural gas sent people dipping into their savings accounts.

Local charities have worked to help people in need pay their gas bills, but they admit the calls and applications far exceed the money available. The Salvation Army, which administers ONG's Share the Warmth program, ran out of its monthly allotment by mid-January. No money will be available again until Thursday.

Children, low-income residents and seniors are most vulnerable when the weather turns cold and bills run high. But many elderly advocates and agencies worry that seniors may not realize help is available or may resist asking for it.

"The pride factor gets involved," said Dan Brandt, state coordinator for consumer affairs for the American Association of Retired Persons. "Because they went through the Depression, there's a stigma to charity. Some are reluctant to ask for help because they don't want to be seen as needing help."

Seniors like Campbell don't mind the help. Between her Social Security and disability checks, Campbell's monthly income ranges between $800 and $1,000. That amount must cover rent ($200), car payment ($253), car insurance ($55), storage rental ($50) and an electric bill of $79.

But Campbell's bills don't end there. Recovering from chemotherapy for breast cancer, her medical bills top $1,000. She said she is six months behind on her car payments and now is hit with a $199 gas bill.

"I try to pay my bills, but it takes a long time to figure out which bills to pay," she said.

Monday through Friday, Campbell can be found at the church for a free lunch.

Concern for Campbell and other seniors in her situation is running high at the state Aging Services Division.

"Normal is choosing between buying food or filling prescriptions," said Don Hudman, executive director of the Areawide Aging Agency. "Now they have a third factor.

"Some are turning the thermostat way down, wrapping in blankets or running way up on electric heaters. Nothing has happened yet, but this situation will result in someone dying from a house fire. It's only a matter of time."

More reliance on electric heaters is just one health concern. Others include the effects of colder homes and malnutrition from unhealthy meals. Brandt said that when doctors prescribe medication, they expect their patients will eat well-balanced meals. Cutting back usually means cooking up a pot of beans to last a week.

From surviving the Depression to hunkering down during World War II, today's senior citizens have faced tougher times. But facing the cold and skipping meals is easier at 20 than 70.

"These people know how to make a dollar scream," Hudman said. "Having said that, we are getting flooded with calls. You know it's bad when these people with pride are asking for help."

http://www.oklahoman.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=630163&pic=none&TP=getarticle

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), January 27, 2001


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