“I AM AWARE of some who have no TV, no freezer, do not use an oven, only use an open fireplace, go to bed early and sleep late to keep themselves warm in bed.”

These are the words of a pensioner who spoke to The Journal about the difficulties facing older people ahead of the winter months due to the cost of living crisis.

Several electricity providers have announced significant cost increases in recent months, while latest figures released by the CSO suggest that inflation has caused food prices in Ireland to rise by 5% in the past year.

There are government supports available for older people, including the pension and fuel allowances, but critics say these do not far enough, nor match price inflation.

As next month’s budget, and the winter months approach, there are concerns about how the cost-of-living crisis is hitting older groups especially hard.

‘Stressed’

The pensioner spoke to The Journal about he and his friends’ experience as older people heading into the winter months highlighted the cost of energy as a major fear.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said people are “considerably stressed”.

He said a “fear of ESB bills” has become commonplace, with some people afraid to use the universal energy credits released as part of last year’s budget, in case a time comes when they need them more.

He believes the government has neglected to support older people in recent budgets.

“These are people who are sharp, intelligent, well-educated and caring, who have worked at least forty years.

They have been basically disregarded by successive governments as they will not complain, are faceless and so of no concern,” he said.

“Many I know will not ask for assistance, including myself I might add, out of pride, embarrassment and feeling that such support should go to those who are in even greater need.”

‘Fearful’

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SVP) provides support services for older people across the country.

They told The Journal that seeking help with energy costs is among the highest reasons people come to the charity.

“SVP is very concerned at the increase in energy costs, particularly coming into the winter. These increases add pressure on those already struggling with cost of living increases,” it said.

“One of the groups who are particularly impacted are senior citizens living alone.”

Deborah Costello, fundraising and communications manager at Friends of the Elderly Ireland told The Journal that winter is a frightening time for older people, particularly due to the cost of heating.

“Older people very much fear the winter months. [They] are very fearful as they have to put the heating on. But it’s not just the rising cost of energy, the rising cost of groceries is also a problem,” she said.

Costello said the fuel allowance doesn’t “go far enough” to meet older people’s needs, and that many risk their health by avoiding turning the heating on for as long as possible.

Another difficulty of winter she highlighted is isolation, particularly for people with mobility issues who can’t avail of free public transport.

She described a “double-edged sword” where people are often forced to decide whether to get out and about or stay at home to save costs for heating, but risk isolation and loneliness.

Poverty rates for older people, single adults and couples 2024. Left: At risk of poverty. Right: Consistent poverty. Age Action Age Action

Costello stressed that support for older people must be invested in.

“Older people should have the opportunity to age positively in the society they created,” she said. To help older people this winter, Friends of the Elderly advises offering to pick up groceries, making an extra meal at dinner and checking in consistently.

Camille Loftus, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Age Action also said that older people are “extremely concerned” about the lack of one-off payments to help tackle energy prices in the upcoming budget.

Last year’s budget included several once-off measures such as the energy credit and the double child benefit payment – but Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has repeatedly said these payments won’t feature in next month’s package.

Speaking to The Journal, Loftus said: “Price inflation has slowed down, but the cost of energy has not reduced, in fact, it has continued to rise.”

“Older people are more likely to be living in older homes which are not well insulated and rely on less efficient heating methods. It costs them more to heat their homes, and a warm home is more important for our health as we age”.

Research from Tallaght University Hospital suggests older people are more likely to live in poor quality housing and feel more impact from the cold.

Budget demands

Age Action is calling for increased energy support in next month’s budget by creating a cash supplement for people aged 70 and older which takes account of the energy efficiency of a person’s home and is linked to the price of energy and inflation.

SVP is also calling for an increase in the fuel allowance.

Loftus criticised recent budgets for implementing policies which have caused older people to be the only age group whose income has declined, despite rising prices.

She said: “The strategy implemented over recent budgets to focus on providing ‘one-off’ payments, which in general, were not targeted at the populations in the greatest need, has meant that older people’s incomes have declined in real terms.

The CSO’s latest Survey on Income and Living Conditions shows that older people’s incomes were the lowest of all age groups, and had decreased in real terms, while that of other age groups had increased.

Age Action is also calling for a change in law to ensure that the pension keeps pace with the growth in earnings and price inflation.

In response to request for comment, the Department of Health told The Journal that funding supports for older people “will be considered” as part of the 2026 Budget and Estimates process.

In a statement to The Journal, the Department of Social Protection said: “Changes in respect of social protection supports for older people, and other cohorts, will form part of the wider considerations of the Government around Budget 2026, when many priorities will have to be balanced”.

“The Department of Social Protection is committed to making the case for a fair budget that protects the people most in need in our society – particularly families on low incomes and those people, including pensioners and carers, who are dependent on social welfare payments.”