Via: defendernetwork.com
Social service providers in the Houston area have seen an alarming spike in the number of senior citizens seeking food and financial assistance during the past year.
West Houston Assistance Ministries, for example, has experienced a 700 percent increase in senior clients, while across town, Humble Area Assistance Ministries has helped 1,000 more seniors than last year.
The need among the elderly is so great that last summer Interfaith Ministries scrapped its waiting list of 1,000 or more people for its Meals on Wheels program and now delivers food to every senior who applies for assistance. The agency supports the expanded program, which now serves more than 4,000 seniors a day, by raising additional money through donations.
Social workers say the influx of seniors is the result of a combination of factors, with the economy as the leader.
The recession has made it difficult for many seniors to stretch their fixed incomes. With higher food, utility and medication costs, some are forced to shift money from one pot to the other to make ends meet, they said.
“The economy has impacted everybody,” said Diana Garbis, executive director for Humble Area Assistance Ministries. “Seniors are particularly vulnerable.”
Any fluctuation in living expenses can put many seniors in a financial pinch. Ester Valladares, senior services supervisor for Catholic Charities, said her agency has seen more seniors using credit cards for living expenses than ever before.
Another reason for the increase is that many elderly no longer can rely on their adult children or other family members for help. Many of them are now struggling to pay mortgages and buy food for their families. Also, more seniors are seeking help because they are taking care of their grandchildren or adult children, who have lost jobs and moved back home. The elderly are having to absorb the extra cost of food and other necessities.
But some social workers also believe the increased need might reflect a growing senior population that’s expected to get even larger because of aging baby boomers. About 76 million people born between 1946 and 1964 will over time create a bulge in the system, said Stephen Klineberg, a sociology professor at Rice University. The oldest set of baby boomers will be turning 64 this year.
Families affected
In the 2009 Houston Area Survey, an annual study conducted by the university, 30 percent of the respondents said they have personal responsibility for helping an elderly family member or friend and 25 percent said they were having a difficult time buying groceries.
“That crosscuts every demographic and community,” Klineberg said. “That’s a lot of folk, and it will likely grow.”
In Harris County, there are about 301,000 seniors, age 65 or older, according to 2008 estimates from the Texas State Data Center. By 2015 and 2020, the estimated senior population will be more than 417,000 and more than 524,000, according to the center.
Josephine Turner, 69, became a client of Catholic Charities shortly before her husband died of heart problems in December. The agency helped the couple with repairs around their northwest Houston home. The agency now helps Turner with her utility bills. She said it’s the first time she’s ever had to seek financial help.
Turner said her small monthly Social Security check is not enough to cover all her bills. She said her home and flood insurance have gone up and her income has not. The retired day care worker does not have retirement income.
Turner’s only daughter, who has a child entering college in the fall, helps her as much as she can. Turner said she doesn’t like imposing on her daughter.
“You hate to ask for help but it’s almost like what do you do?” Turner said.
Social workers say asking for assistance is not always easy for the elderly. It’s pride and a generational attitude of being able to take care of yourself, they said.
Some seniors used to be the faces helping the needy and now they are on the receiving end, said Earnest Dyer, assistant executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has seen a 20 percent increase in senior clients this year compared to last year. The agency has 43 pantries throughout the Houston-Galveston area and food programs in the Bellaire and north Houston areas.
Housing needs
Besides food and financial assistance, seniors are also requesting help with transportation, housing and their pets.
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency on Aging, which helps seniors navigate the social service system, has seen a 6 percent increase in elderly looking for help to find subsidized or low-income housing this year compared to same period in 2009.
Three years ago, Interfaith Ministries started a pet feeding program called aniMeals on Wheels because some seniors were sharing their food with their pets. The participation has remained fairly stable because of limited funding.
Social workers said they don’t see the tide for services receding anytime soon.
“I’m hoping we have the resources,” Valladares said.
Chron.com
