Paying for basics a struggle says new report

A poll has revealed that over a half (55%) of people aged 60 and over are finding it harder to manage their regular outgoings compared to this time last year.
According to an ICM poll carried out to coincide with the launch of "Living on a Low Income in Later Life," a report from Age Scotland partner Age UK, nearly one in ten (9%)  people aged 60 and over admit to be either "finding it  quite difficult" or "really struggling" to manage on their income. 
As rising prices squeeze incomes across the country, an estimated 375,000 older people in Scotland (33%) can only just afford to buy the basics. The report is based on interviews and discussion groups and paints a picture of lives that revolve around making every penny count. All the people interviewed by the researchers talk of cutting back, doing without and making do while at the same time worrying about the cost of energy bills and buying food. This is something that is confirmed by the polling as nearly one in seven older people (14%) admit  they have gone to bed when they weren't tired to keep warm and almost the same number (13%) admit to living in just one room to save on heating.
The report highlights examples of "making do" such as just using a hob or microwave rather that replacing a broken oven and boiling a kettle for washing rather than heating water in a boiler. While those interviewed by the report researchers talk of seeking out the best bargains when food shopping and timing their shopping for the end of the day when products are marked down, the supporting polling reveals that almost a quarter (23%) of people aged 60 and over have bought less food than they wanted and over half of those interviewed (55%) have moved to cheaper brands in the last year.
The survey also says that nearly one in five (18%) of those aged 60 and over would find it difficult to pay an unexpected bill of £150.
Age Scotland spokesperson Doug Anthoney said:
"Living on a low income is hard work. Older people tend to show a great deal of resilience in managing in their money and eke out their income but this new report demonstrates exactly how emotionally draining it is on for older people to constantly survive on a lower income and  how many are  fearful of the future in the current economic climate."Download the summary report  

Download the full report
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