With inflation at nearly four decades high, Canadians are feeling the financial strain. In her six-part series this summer, The Canadian Press talks to people in different stages of life about where they're hitting hardest. The final installment of this series details how rising inflation is affecting older people.
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Azim Jeraj canceled his gym membership earlier this year.
Sherwood, Alta He is a 69-year-old resident of the Park. He said he could no longer justify the monthly fee as the cost of groceries, utilities and prescription drugs rose.
"Instead he joined a senior cycling group. He goes cycling twice a week and it doesn't cost," he said. "Find things to do. I'm always looking for things that don't cost a lot of money."
Today, like all other age demographics, Canadian seniors are experiencing nearly 40 years of high inflation. In the face of this, we are forced to make a tough choice to ditch the bland and the useful.
But older people also face unique challenges that are less talked about. Experts say that high inflation often results in social isolation.
According to Statistics Canada, 27.9% of older Canadians lived alone in 2017-18, compared to 14% of the general population.
Doctors know that maintaining relationships and staying socially active play an important role in the mental and physical health of this age group. social isolation is associated with increased emotional distress and prevalence of depression, more falls, access to health and support services, and even premature death.
But whether it's just going out for coffee with friends, driving to faith services, or taking the bus to fitness classes, transportation costs money.
“People don't think social isolation is linked to inflation costs. , it means you won't be able to take or take medication," said Laura Tamblyn Watts. She is the representative director of CanAge, a national advocacy group for the elderly. “But you have to be connected somehow, and there is a connection cost.”
Many older Canadians live on fixed pensions or are dependent on government benefits such as the Canada Pension Plan. depends. Inflation adjustments every January — not keeping up with the recent dizzying rise in the cost of living.
With inflation weighing heavily on the stock market, seniors are also worried about their investment portfolios.
32} "Many of the older people we see are in this predicament. Investments and pensions may not go up, government benefits may eventually go up, but for now they are in limbo. Everything is getting more expensive," said Larry Matheson, CEO of the nonprofit Kirby Center. Icine Hut, which provides programs and services to seniors in Calgary and Med. "It's a big problem."The crisis is already being felt for Dorothy and her Bagan, who lives alone in her home owned by her in Calgary. She's canceled her cell phone, reduced her TV viewing from cable, and continues to use a carefully curated list when shopping for groceries.
Although she does not own a car and is an avid public transport user and volunteer in her community, her social life is narrow.
"For obvious reasons, my circle of friends has dwindled. I'm her 74," Bagan said. "And the two close friends I have, well, only one of the two is still driving, so it was hard to see each other."
In fact, Bagan said she recently decided to go back to work part-time — not because of the money, which is an added perk, but because of the need to get out of the house. I love being out there and being a part of things,' she said. It's not that you can't contribute."
Social isolation is part of the "downflow effect of inflation," Tamblyn Watts said. If seniors can't afford internet access, they can't connect with family via Zoom or her FaceTime. If they can't afford hearing aids or eyeglasses, they are less able to interact with the world.If younger generations are busy spending extra hours at work to keep up with the rising cost of living,
"There will be more people living alone at home, without support and lonely," Tamblyn Watts said.
Jeraj said he feels he is lucky. He is married and still drives. He and his wife make a conscious effort to stay active and connected through low-cost activities such as going for long walks and entertaining friends at home.
knows that many of his peers are not so lucky.
"I have relatives who live alone, the cost of which is a big issue, even mobility as I cannot drive due to age and health," he said Jeraj. .
``Social isolation is a huge problem. It was first published on August 17th.
