Supporting Our Elders

How do the elders live in the U.S. with only social security? I have sat down with some elders to keep them company and let them talk. Elders have a myriad of interesting stories of when they were young, which I enjoy. But one conversation I do not enjoy is talking about their finances. I feel it is their way of just letting it out — a rant perhaps, and I am appalled at the amount of money they receive. Some of these people worked for over 40 or 50 years and had withholdings from every paycheck. I knew that social security is not something we can solely rely on, but it is just plain ridiculous.

For example, let me tell you about Karen. I have changed her name for privacy reasons. Karen is 85 years old, still drives, and is an independent woman. She lives by herself in an apartment complex. She is also on a fixed social security income of $1,300. and receives $247 in SNAP benefits. She never married, therefore, there’s no spousal support, social security, or 401K.

Karen’s rent is $950, including renter’s insurance, which is required. After deducting auto insurance, she has $270 left each month for the electric bill, fuel, toiletries, and personal items. Because of insufficient income, she cannot save any money and therefore, does not have a savings account.

Forget about entertainment. There’s no money left over for that. Luckily, her daughter pays for her cell phone and internet service. Karen does not have cable but, she has internet. Therefore, she can stream movies and watch whatever she can find for free on TV. She also entertains herself with an old used desktop computer. She enjoys watching arts and crafts, YouTube videos, and playing games that can enhance her cognitive abilities.

Karen is on a tight budget and can only afford to spend around $61 on groceries per week. When she runs out of SNAP benefits and needs more groceries, she has to visit the food pantry. This usually happens in months with five weeks or when she treats herself to some items she rarely buys. It’s challenging for her to make ends meet, and I empathize with her situation.

I understand that some situations are more complex than others. Recently, Karen contacted her internet and cable services provider for help. It turns out that her daughter got laid off and can no longer afford to pay for Karen’s internet service. However, her internet provider does not offer any discounts for elders, so Karen will most likely lose her internet. Fortunately, Karen qualified for a reduced cell phone plan that her daughter can afford.

I asked Karen if she ever thought about living with her daughter. But she was adamant that she wants to continue her independence. Karen lives very close to the major supermarket chains, hospitals, stores, and her doctor’s office. Therefore, her drives are no longer than 10 minutes if that. Besides, her daughter lives in a rural area, which would mean Karen would have to drive further distances to the above facilities. According to Karen, her daughter reached out to HUD regarding Section 8 or any other rental assistance. Even though she joined the waitlist, some people have been waiting for the past three years.

While there are senior homes available, not everyone can afford them or wants to live in that type of environment. Additionally, some elderly individuals may have children who are not comfortable with the idea of them living in a senior home. It’s important to recognize that some seniors are well off financially and have savings, 401Ks, IRA accounts, etc., but this is not the case for everyone.

I understand and empathize with Karen’s decision to maintain her independence. My own mother, who is 84 years old, cherishes her independence and prefers to live on her own. It is difficult for many to adjust to a loss of freedom and it can lead to feelings of depression. They may not realize the level of care they require as they get older. Sadly, many of them become unwell and cannot recover.

It is truly disheartening that not all elders can count on their children for support, leaving them to fend for themselves as best they can. Are there any benefits other than Social Security, Section 8, and Snap Benefits for older adults? I don’t know. But probably not and that’s why many retirees live check to check or seek a better life in other countries. We need to find more ways to support and care for our elders.

Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.