The Essentials of Life:
To survive, all of us have a need for food (water included), clothing and shelter.
Without these three very important essentials, not only America’s Seniors, but people
throughout the world, have died.
My one goal in writing this article is to speak with the Senior’s who cannot stretch that dollar!
If owning a home, and Seniors think they finally can meet their obligations and feel secure again,
boom! The very next year, Seniors get hit hard by higher taxes.
Home Insurance rates go up, food goes up, medical insurance goes up and this year, 2016,The only thing that didn’t go up, was the cost of living raise.
Why is that?
Because the government said the economy is improving. Improving? when everything is skyrocketing and Seniors are feeling the pain? Who is it improving for? Not the Senior that has to bite the bullet and live on less.
Owning a home is a great responsibility, and for a Senior, the responsibility doubles. By the way,
I have yet to see property taxes go down, at least, in Massachusetts, or is it, Taxachusetts..
It is not only the fear of the greedy tax man taking your home, but there are other factors.
Paying Home Insurance that is sky high and every year it goes up.
I have asked this question many times and my insurance has this to say,
Insurance companies go by what it costs to rebuild your home and not what the value is.
Every year the lumber and materials go up and they pass this cost on to the homeowner.
In other words, they have found a way to stick it to every one of us.
Another thing that has me baffled is, why do we have home insurance to begin with?
In case something goes wrong with the home whether it’s fire, wind, snow ice or flood. To name a few.
Well Seniors, put in a claim and see what happens, two claims you are done with your insurance company.
Some people try to have a co-pay of $1000 or $2000. Reason? Have to have insurance but can’t afford the monthly payment. It comes down a little bit. A little bit is all it will come down..
Make sense? Not to me but, this is how they raise the insurance rate and stick it to all of us.
If we pay for home insurance, there shouldn’t be a deductible. Medical, definitely shouldn’t have co-pays of any kind. The monthly fee is enough!
Lets talk about home fixtures.
I have never lived in a home that doesn’t need fixtures. All homes need fixtures at one point or another. After so many years the roof goes, a pipe needs changing, or, “Oh! my goodness, the cellar is flooded!”
The home becomes more and more stressful to hang on to.
If renting, the rent goes up because the Landlord’s tax went up. No matter what, it’s like shoveling you know what, against the tide.
So, there goes shelter.
Clothing?
I have seen Senior’s wear the same clothes year after year because, they can’t afford to buy new ones.
So, there goes clothing.
Food, what is food?
The greatest essential of them all. The definition of food according to Webster’s dictionary, is a
material that nourishes the body.
Can we live without this nourishment? Definitely not.
These are the three necessities of life and a Senior’s well being.
So, Now What?
So, what happens to a Senior when they own a home and are afraid to lose it to the greedy tax man?
They sell the home and move in with family. Not a bad idea because this Senior probably raised this family and worked hard for them as they grew, married and had kids of their own.
This is a Senior that is lucky to have family that loves him or her and is willing to have a
father or, a mother living with them. Maybe both mom and dad if still alive. One room would do just fine..
Seniors are a proud people and living with their kids once again will contribute to the family. They know how to build great foundations as they interact with their grandchildren. Solid advice and their wisdom comes from experience. Grandkids will grow into great adults because of Grandparents and their input.
So, if you are thinking of moving in with your kids, don’t procrastinate, just do it! Especially if you know the bills are just too unreachable, and your looking at trouble with the greedy tax man.
This move may be the best decision you make in your life. Talk to your kids and I bet dollars to doughnuts, they will welcome you with open arms.
Seniors love to travel, exercise, run, play golf, fish and dance. Their main interest is, to interact with other people. Even get married. My grandson teaches boxing, guess to whom? Not only young people, but to older ones as well.
They are no different then anyone else. Well, maybe smarter for they have been around longer, but hardly a difference.
But, What If You’re Alone?
To survive, all Seniors need the essentials. Food, clothing and a place to call home. Some have it all and go on enjoying life to the fullest, but there is another side of the coin.
Seniors who don’t have family. You know, the ones who live alone need help, but don’t know how to get it.
There are so many stories that can be talked about. These are heartbreaking stories about Seniors and how they struggle to keep body and soul together. Talk, like they say, doesn’t cost anything, but talk won’t get them the help they need.
That is why I wrote this article to tell you, the Senior, there is help and resources. People who care and if you let them, you will find that you can be happy and free of worry. It means a lot to them and to you.
My Mom was one of the greatest teachers that ever lived. These are her words, “God credits your soul when you help others.”
When you are helped by these wonderful people, I call them friends, some day maybe you can help someone else and your soul would be credited as well.
To go on…
Resources:
The resources that are listed will make life easier and something else will happen, you will look forward
to a happier life.
Why? Someone has your back.
Don’t be foolish and so proud that you go on with the stress in your life. Be strong and say, I really need some help. Whatever it is, people are there to help you.
This is not to lose hope, but to lift hopes for there is an abundance of help out there. All you have to do is reach out.
If you are a private person and a bit shy, but need help, I will share a resource with you on the bottom of the page that is working to list all avenues of help in each state.
Before the listing of resources that are available in Massachusetts, I would like you to read this story, sent to me, by Amy L. Pessia, the Executive Director for The Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
With permission granted to print, in Amy’s own words:
Penelope,
Thank you so much for your message, and interest in helping seniors. Here is a story that I hope you will find of interest to your blog readers:
Alice recalls their first kiss, at age 18 at the Hi Hat Roller Rink, a former landmark in Lowell. Today, Alice is constantly making sure that her husband of 57 years, Herb, doesn’t take out the trash. “He only has 24% lung function. I have to take out the trash so he doesn’t try to do it.” “The food we get helps us tremendously!” The food Herb and Alice receive from the Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry monthly is a “lifesaver”, according to Alice. Both of them worked while raising their family and Herb became an entrepreneur so he could work with his hands. Now he is on oxygen, and Alice has a heart ailment, so she shouldn’t take out the trash either. Herb and Alice receive approximately 30 meals worth of food from the Mobile Pantry, which helps them fulfill their financial obligations of rent, utilities and medical co-pays. Alice was thrilled that she could host Thanksgiving dinner for her family this year. Thanks to the turkey and fixings, the couple didn’t feel as though they are disabled.
Proper nutrition is important for seniors to maintain good health, and is necessary to take some medicines properly, such as blood pressure and diabetes medication. Some seniors are forced to choose between paying for medication and buying food. Food is often left as the last item on the shopping list, and this situation can contribute to poor health. There are places in the greater Lowell area, including food pantries and meal programs, which may provide relief for seniors who find there’s not enough funds after the bills are paid, to buy food. These agencies may also provide a social element that our neighbors find enjoyable.
The Lowell Senior Center at 276 Broadway Street in Lowell provides numerous activities and serves lunch 7 days a week at 11:30am. The Salvation Army at 150 Appleton Street in Lowell serves a continental breakfast and lunch at their senior center Monday – Friday, for a suggested donation amount of $2.00. There are numerous food pantries on Lowell that seniors may visit when needed, including the Salvation Army (150 Appleton Street), Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities Food Pantry at 70 Lawrence Street, and Central Food Ministry at 170 W. Sixth Street. Some seniors may be embarrassed to visit a food pantry, as it is difficult to ask for help. It’s better to get the food when needed, than to have health concerns worsen. There is also a Mobile Pantry operated by the Merrimack Valley Food Bank that delivers groceries in emergency situations for seniors who can’t get to a food pantry due to frailty or illness. More information can be found about all of the food resources in greater Lowell at www.mvfb.org or call 978-454-7272.
Amy L. Pessia
Executive Director
Merrimack Valley Food Bank
735 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Ph: 978-454-7272 X305
Thank you, Amy, for the story and the important information you have given to our Seniors.
And, to my Senior readers, as promised, here is the resource site you can visit for more info in your state: Seniors Center News.
