Pensioners are taking drastic measures to cut down on rising power bills - here are some sad realities faced by elderly people
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Struggling pensioners have been calling on the government for aid as they take drastic measures to cope with the rising costs of living.
According to A Current Affair, some furious pensioners are going to great lengths to cut back on power, including showering only twice a week and charging solar lights during the day to avoid switching the light bulbs on.
But why are they taking such drastic measures?
Elderly couple Jean, 65, and Terry Short, 72, from Canton Beach, NSW told A Current Affair that the price hikes in power bills have left them financially crippling.
"We walk around here with a torch, it's ridiculous," Mrs Short said.
The couple confessed that while they were doing everything to minimise their energy consumption, they can't help but be furious over the government's inadequate aid to help them and others who are struggling to pay for their electric bills.
The couple said that they use a torch to walk around the house at night to cut down on electric bills. Credit: A Current Affair.
Mrs Short said: "It makes me really angry and it's gotten to the point where I'm not going to be quiet any more. I'm going to speak up because it's going to affect everyone."
"Spend a couple of nights here and see how it feels, you know. It gets cold in these homes."
Meanwhile, 64-year-old Jeffrey O'Brien shared how the power price hikes affect his day-to-day life.
The Caringbah pensioner claimed that in order to survive on the $600 he receives a fortnight, he doesn't turn any lights on at night, only showers every second day of the week, and rations his meals.
He said that he has to do these measures as he only has a small amount of money left after rent.
Mr O'Brien explained: "If I cut back any more I might as well not be here, it's not a life it's an existence."
"I sit here with jackets on cause I'm cold, with blankets on, because I'm freezing. If I get my heaters out, it costs me too much money and then I go without meals."
"They want us to cut back. What about them?"
"What about turning off all those building lights in the city?"
"You'd be able to power up homes for two months with just one night's power in the city – doesn't take a scientist to work that out."
Mr O’Brien said that he’s going to extreme lengths in order to survive with his $600 fortnight payment. Credit: A Current Affair.
The two cases reflect some of the realities that most pensioners are experiencing with the rising costs of living and we are certain that more elderly and disadvantaged people are facing these struggles.
In fact, we previously published a similar article a few weeks ago to shed light on the financial problems encountered by pensioners and how the new government should address and prioritise these issues.
We understand that this is a sensitive topic and we want to hear your thoughts about this. What do you think are the specific issues experienced by seniors and pensioners that the government should prioritise? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
According to A Current Affair, some furious pensioners are going to great lengths to cut back on power, including showering only twice a week and charging solar lights during the day to avoid switching the light bulbs on.
But why are they taking such drastic measures?
Elderly couple Jean, 65, and Terry Short, 72, from Canton Beach, NSW told A Current Affair that the price hikes in power bills have left them financially crippling.
"We walk around here with a torch, it's ridiculous," Mrs Short said.
The couple confessed that while they were doing everything to minimise their energy consumption, they can't help but be furious over the government's inadequate aid to help them and others who are struggling to pay for their electric bills.
The couple said that they use a torch to walk around the house at night to cut down on electric bills. Credit: A Current Affair.
Mrs Short said: "It makes me really angry and it's gotten to the point where I'm not going to be quiet any more. I'm going to speak up because it's going to affect everyone."
"Spend a couple of nights here and see how it feels, you know. It gets cold in these homes."
Meanwhile, 64-year-old Jeffrey O'Brien shared how the power price hikes affect his day-to-day life.
The Caringbah pensioner claimed that in order to survive on the $600 he receives a fortnight, he doesn't turn any lights on at night, only showers every second day of the week, and rations his meals.
He said that he has to do these measures as he only has a small amount of money left after rent.
Mr O'Brien explained: "If I cut back any more I might as well not be here, it's not a life it's an existence."
"I sit here with jackets on cause I'm cold, with blankets on, because I'm freezing. If I get my heaters out, it costs me too much money and then I go without meals."
"They want us to cut back. What about them?"
"What about turning off all those building lights in the city?"
"You'd be able to power up homes for two months with just one night's power in the city – doesn't take a scientist to work that out."
Mr O’Brien said that he’s going to extreme lengths in order to survive with his $600 fortnight payment. Credit: A Current Affair.
The two cases reflect some of the realities that most pensioners are experiencing with the rising costs of living and we are certain that more elderly and disadvantaged people are facing these struggles.
In fact, we previously published a similar article a few weeks ago to shed light on the financial problems encountered by pensioners and how the new government should address and prioritise these issues.
We understand that this is a sensitive topic and we want to hear your thoughts about this. What do you think are the specific issues experienced by seniors and pensioners that the government should prioritise? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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