There are days when I wonder how other’s manage. I am talking about those who live on a fixed income, without outside sources of income. Mom is sort of lucky, because there is David and myself, who pull earn money, that can help supplement the money needed for her care. It isn’t a lot of extra, but is the best we can manage.
I suppose we could live in a cheaper house, but then again, the cost of moving is astronomical. Hell even single bedroom apartments cost a mint these days, never mind one that can house three people & a dog. Can’t move out to the sticks either, because Mom needs to be close to her Doctor, to a pharmacy, to the Hospital.
Kind of hard to not have cable for her to watch, or listen to. I have pared it down too, but still, we need the Internet so I can at least manage some work. Also, it is an ideal way to search for information on drugs she takes, on side effects. Good way too, to keep informed of Government programs, etc.
I try to manage our food bill, by buying only what we need, and only if it is on sale. Problem is some things like Milk or Bread rarely go on sale. Then too, how do you provide hot meals that are substantial, if you can’t buy fresh foods. Or fruits, veggies, for that matter. Nor can you exclude them, if you want her to stay healthy.
Hydro of course, is one item I can’t control. Laundry every single day, in hot water, isn’t cheap. Electric heaters can be off, as a chill for her could be deadly. So $300 a month for Hydro is something we have to live with. Course the added water bill is not really controllable either. She needs a shower or wash each day, laundry etc. So no way to scrimp on those.
Our Doctor is a good one, but we need the pills he prescribes, so like that isn’t an option now is it? And they do cost a pretty penny, mainly due to the way the Campbell Government manages Pharmacare here in BC. Will Christy Clark do better? Somehow, I am not optimistic about that. Course the Pharmacy takes a nice whack too, over $12 per prescription. Mom needs nine ( 9 ) each month, so that alone comes to $108.00 for the first six months of the year.
Thing is, it isn’t going to get any easier, as time goes on. I hate to think what it will cost when I am in my sixties or seventies. Looking at all that Mom has to go through, all that I have to deal with, I seriously am not looking forward to old age, or the burden it would put on David. Death looks a lot more attractive, than fighting to stay alive.
People Mom’s age shouldn’t have to be worried about choosing between pills, depends, food, or shelter. The $50 sob that Stephen Harper offered in the budget is a slap in the face to Seniors barely existing today. How many can’t afford all of their medications? How many live in hovels, or at the mercy of uncaring relatives or institutions?
How many Seniors sit in soiled depends, because in Care Homes they are limited to how many extra depends a Patient can have, without paying extra. I mean some people pee & poop more than once or twice per day. Mom alone goes through 4 to 5 depends, and in some care facilities, that would be an added $2 to $3 per day. In other words, $60 to $90 and after they pay for the care, that is about all they have left for their own needs.
So it isn’t an option, is it?
$50 Mr Harper? May you never have to rely on a public Care Facility or strangers, because you wouldn’t be able to handle it.
