Cash-strapped older people say they are “in despair” forced to take desperate measures to pay emergency bills. Pensioners told of using their burial funds to pay unexpected bills and even pulling out their own teeth to avoid the huge dental fee.
According to new research by charity, Independent Age called ‘Surviving Not Living’, they found that a £50 emergency cost is ‘impossible or difficult’ for one in five older people on a low income to cover and more than half (52%) of the same group would struggle to pay an unexpected £250 bill without borrowing.
Paul, 74, who lives alone in Kings Lynn and used to run his own installation company, told how he had to use his last savings, his ‘burial fund’, to pay for a roof repair. He told The Mirror: “I just live in despair to be honest, and just hope I die quickly. I've had enough of everything.”
Even his health has suffered, Paul says, explaining how he had to pull his own tooth out to avoid a huge bill. He said he removed a molar in his lower jaw with a pair of pliers. “It was very painful but I'd been quoted £450 to extract a tooth and £500 more for three fillings - the fillings still need doing three years later and a tooth I had to pull out myself in the end,” he said.
Dorothy, 80, Doncaster said: “I live alone in council housing. My State Pension is around £800 a month but I’m struggling to live on that. I had some savings, but they’re all gone now on paying for essentials.” She added: “I strip wash instead of having a bath, and I’ve even cut down on flushing the toilet. I don’t turn my heating on, not even in winter if I can help it.”
Independent Age is the national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life. It is estimated two million older people in the UK are living in poverty.
