As a healthcare worker, Marilyn witnessed firsthand how literacy directly impacts individuals’ health and well-being.
“Fat, flu, pill, allergic, jaundice, anemia, fatigue, directed, colitis, constipation, osteoporosis. These are the words in a screening tool called the REALM-R that healthcare workers use to screen for literacy. The results of this short screening tool help us to determine the best way to educate our patients on their post-surgery instructions, medications, sliding scale for diabetes management, and home care instructions. The first three words technically aren’t part of the score and are only there to make the individual more comfortable.
As a healthcare worker, it was hard to see how many of my patients couldn’t read the words on this scale, even the first three words. These are people that aren’t able to read the label on their medication bottle, post-op instructions, and red flags, when and where their appointments are. These are people that are at a higher risk of hospitalization and they need our help.
This was what inspired me to join Literacy Together in their efforts to help the literacy crisis in our community. I’ve seen the life-changing (and potentially life-saving) work that they do. There are multiple ways that you can help with this work, including serving as a volunteer tutor, supporting Literacy Together financially, and spreading awareness in Buncombe County for the need to help address the literacy crisis. Together, we can help keep our neighbors healthier and safer.”
Marilyn Lindsley Cortes
Doctor of Physical Therapy