'Every day is a constant struggle': Half of older people struggling to pay bills, says charity

Alone's annual survey revealed that almost 70% of older people generally said their standard of living had been impacted by rising prices. File picture: iStock

Half of older people are struggling to pay their bills, and they badly need a boost to the State pension to deal with the cost of living, older persons charity Alone has warned.

In its pre-Budget submission to Government, it also calls for an increase in the Living Alone Allowance, the Telephone Support Allowance and the Fuel Allowance to help pensioners in need of support.

The charity said it is providing 45,000 supports to older people across Ireland, up 20% since last year. While those who live alone are affected the most, almost 70% of older people generally said their standard of living had been impacted by rising prices in its annual survey.

One person told Alone: “I'm a state pensioner and in no way has my pension kept pace with the cost of living. Every day is a constant struggle, and it is completely necessary to constantly search for everyday better value in every aspect of my life.” 

Another said: “I live on about €30 a week [and] it must be a year since I could have got a week shopping. I crave for so many things but cannot afford to buy them. It's about two and half years ago since I could buy anything for myself. 

There are times I sit and cry. What I would give to be able to go shopping and to have the money to do it. 

Alone said that the areas of most concern for older people are energy and heating, food prices, household maintenance and the cost of care. It said the State pension should increase by a minimum of €18, along with a commitment to increase it by a similar amount next year.

In future, the charity said it wants social welfare payments benchmarked to inflation, which is a call that has been made of the Government by multiple NGOs supporting different groups.

It also said the processes for people to apply for what they’re entitled to needs to be simplified, as the “social protection system is not designed with accessibility for older people in mind”. People often must navigate numerous different forms, varying eligibility and means test requirements to access supports.

It urged the Government to develop a streamlined approach for accessing and applying for pension, fuel allowance, Living Alone allowance, the Household Benefits package, Telephone Support Allowance and other entitlements, in accessible formats both online and offline.

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It also urged the Department of Health to tackle the issue of loneliness in this year’s Budget provision, with a €5m campaign and action plan to tackle this problem, which is one of the main reasons people reach out to the charity.

Alone CEO Sean Moynihan said that people are now living longer in Ireland, and we must therefore invest in policies that allow people to age at home comfortably and enjoyably.

“We have staff in all 96 Community Health Networks across Ireland and we are witnessing increasing calls to our service relating to financial issues with those who live alone are most impacted,” he said.

“The cost-of-living payments must now be built into standard welfare payments. It might seem like a small thing to some but the cost of tea, milk and sugar have risen nearly 25% in the last few years, according to the CSO. Could you imagine living on a low fixed income while prices increase all around you?”