‘I just have to pick and choose what I buy’: Kamloops seniors feel the impact of rising costs

However, Hessel is not alone. Brandi Allen, the executive director of the Centre for Seniors Information (CSI), says seniors have being struggling for a long time.

“Being on a fixed income hits a little bit harder when everything is going up except for your income. I think that that’s been a trend for a long time. And, unfortunately, I think that’s always going to be a trend in some communities,” she explained.

This trend is not limited to Kamloops. It’s province-wide and significantly impacts a large portion of low income seniors.

“You have to remember that about 40 per cent of B.C. seniors live on an income that’s less than minimum wage,” said Isobel Mackenzie, B.C. Seniors Advocate. “We know that the use of food banks by seniors is increasing. We know that the presence of seniors in homeless shelters is increasing proportionately more than you would normally expect to see,” she explained.

While there is no immediate solution, the CSI provides food support, housing assistance and help with any other challenges seniors might be facing in the community.

“It’s a great way for us to stay connected to the senior population,” said Allen. “We get hundreds or thousands of seniors that come through here in a month asking similar questions as they come through. But it definitely gives us an opportunity to touch base with as many as we can.”

Getting older is inevitable and Hessel leaves his fellow seniors a little advice.

“If you’re getting close to retirement, you need to plan ahead… at least a good year before you retire, because some things take several months to come into effect,” he said.

by Silvia Senna

‘I just have to pick and choose what I buy’: Kamloops seniors feel the impact of rising costs

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