Combatting power cost impact on seniors

Heather Allan sits at home huddled in a blanket by her four-fin oil heater, clutching a power bill she is struggling to pay…

76-year-old Mrs Allan is “frightened” she won’t cope with payments. … the “ever-rising” cost of power and living in general kept her awake at night.

“I don’t sleep well because I am always so cold. But I am too scared to turn my electric blanket on during the night because I cannot afford it.

“I am worried my health is in danger. If I get a chill I will get bronchitis and that is something I am scared of.”

She is also worried about GST costs, which will rise in October…Mrs Allan’s first power bill for winter was $144.49.

[Gisborne deputy mayor Nona Ashton says] “It is an indictment on all of us that our elderly might be sitting in their homes cold and alone.

“We need to be asking ourselves how we can look after those who deserve to be looked after. Surely we have some sort of an answer.”

…[she] would like to see a return to “good old- fashioned” community values…Helping out the elderly who live by themselves. Getting them some wood and checking in on them regularly.”

>SOURCE Gisborne Herald 30 June