Seniors face unprecedented circumstances as they try to adapt to rising inflation
It’s a rough time to be in your “Golden Years”. Seniors and the disabled are very susceptible to turbulent economic conditions, as they rely on a fixed income, and cannot work to try to compensate for changes. Being on a fixed income makes it much harder to cope with rising costs. Such is the case in recent times, as inflation soars to levels scarcely seen before, resulting in a stripped-down, bare lifestyle for seniors as they focus on the most immediate necessities, cutting down everything else. Many already food-insecure seniors are being pushed into abject circumstances, being unable to afford food after paying for rent and other necessities
Recent inflation has had a major impact on housing and food prices in Canada. The cost of food has gone up by 9.7% in April and May, while the cost of shelter was up by 7.4% , according to a recent report from Statistics Canada. Under this umbrella, the cost of dairy items like cheese and butter was up by almost 15%,; and the price of meats has also risen by over 15%. Fruits and produce pricing is also trending higher, with the change in prices of oranges up a staggering 23%.
Spending habits for seniors are very different than the average household, as they tend to prioritize food and shelter, both of which rose the most during the last 2 years. Those on disability are in a similar, if not worse, situation, as the average payout per case is $1099 for 2020/2021, which leaves many with less than $100 per week for groceries, phone bills, and other expenses, forcing them to rely on food banks. There is a huge sense of shame in using food banks, but there aren’t many other options to get food on the table
While the maximum monthly CPP payment is around $1200, the average monthly payment is lower at only $685. Meanwhile, Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) together provide a maximum of just $15,000 per year for single seniors and $25,000 per year for seniors who live with a spouse. For the average Canadian, it’s not enough to make ends meet, especially in a rapidly changing economic environment like the one we find ourselves in.
Sai Dham Food Bank was founded with a mission to alleviate some of the problems faced by low-income and disabled seniors in our community. Through our Seniors and People with special needs program, home delivered to low-income and disabled seniors, we are able to get fresh produce and groceries delivered at the door at no cost. Currently, we serve around 2700+ seniors, but with the rapidly rising demand for our programs, we hope to help over 2200 seniors and disabled over the next 8–12 months. Our Senior Wellness program is another huge step for us to help our community. The 1-hour weekly sessions promote physical and mental health through group exercises such as Yoga, and Zumba and feature informational sessions such as awareness of diabetes, mental health, elder abuse, and much more. In addition, seniors are able to foster a strong social network and feel like a part of the family. If you know any senior who would benefit from this, let us know! Reach out to Sai Dham Food Bank through our email or check out our website for more information.