You are here: REHACARE Portal. Up-to-date. Archive. Age.
Older People: Extreme Measures to Cope with High Prices
Older People: Extreme Measures to Cope with High Prices
Older people are not confident the Government will help them in the recession, with many going to extreme measures to cope thereby putting their health at risk.
New research launched by the recently merged charity today shows that one in five people aged 60 and over are skipping meals to save money on food, while two fifths are struggling to afford essential items.
Ahead of the Budget next week, Age Concern and Help the Aged is warning that many older people, particularly the oldest and poorest pensioners, are among the worst hit by high prices. Pensioners on low incomes face a far higher than average inflation rate and struggle to afford basic household essential items such as food and electricity. The Charity is challenging the Government to ensure investment to stimulate the economy also benefits older people.
Age Concern and Help the Aged is also launching its More Money in Your Pocket campaign to help older people receive the benefits that are rightfully theirs.
The new research from Age Concern and Help the Aged also shows that: Six out of ten people aged 60 and over are not confident the Government will help older people cope during the recession; Two fifths of older people are cutting back on socialising, electricity and gas; One in four people aged 60 and over are cutting back on food.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, says: 'Many older people are being clobbered by high prices and are being pushed to extreme measures to cope financially - the Government cannot sit by while older people skip meals and put their health at risk. The oldest and poorest pensioners are being hit particularly hard.'
'The state of the economy is the defining issue of our times and this year’s Budget will have many demands on it. But the challenge to Government is to ensure that older people, and older voters, aren’t forgotten. Investment to stimulate the economy must also benefit them.
'In addition to any package of support for older people, the Government must commit to rolling out automatic payment of benefits. In the meantime, our More Money in Your Pocket campaign will help many pensioners get the benefits they’re entitled to, which will at least help ease their financial burden.'
REHACARE.de; Source: Age Concern
- More about Age Concern at: www.ageconcern.org
