Hundreds of Bristol pensioners are battling to stay warm with no central heating. These are among findings of the 2021 census.
The Office for National Statistics report found the area with the highest percentage of one-person households aged over 65 without heating was Barrow-in-Furness, with 5.4% (262). Bristol was 78th, with 2.5% (520). In South Gloucestershire, there were 1.3% households (187) and in North Somerset there were 1.4% households (215).
Age UK described the data findings as being of “tremendous concern” and has warned of “potentially serious consequences” for older people’s health and wellbeing. Some 11 local authority areas recorded at least 4% of their elderly residents who live alone and over the age of 65, as having no central heating.
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The analysis also found that more than 100 local authority areas had at least two-fifths of older people living alone who are disabled, which is an indicator of deprivation. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK told PA: “Having limited money later in life really impacts day-to-day living, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and disconnection from society.
“These figures are of tremendous concern as older people lacking central heating often find it very difficult to stay warm during the winter months with potentially serious consequences for their health and wellbeing. Living alone can make this situation worse as it means that one person’s income has to stretch further to cover the fixed costs of heating a home, and it can, in some cases, lead to social isolation, which can have additional negative consequences," she said.
It follows Bristol Older People’s Forum Cost of Living Report in March. It highlighted that the cost of heating, along with food, were the two major concerns for older residents.
Comments from older people in the report included:
“Catastrophic. Unbearable. A complete and utter nightmare. Electricity and gas costs are obscene, The profits are great. It’s just beyond a joke.”
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“Energy bills dramatically increased, limit heating being used. Food bills - have to be more selective where I shop.”
“Energy bills have gone up a LOT. I only put the heating on if I have to and we think more about how we cook.”
“Struggling with paying bills - heating my home and buying food. The contribution for my care package and the energy bills take up nearly all of my pension living, struggling to pay for all other necessities.”
“I can’t afford the food I used to. I don’t shower as often as I used to. I get worried about turning the heating on.”
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“Energy prices have affected my budget which means I don’t know if I can make it to my pension date without running out of money.”
"Increased energy costs and food costs causing stress and anxiety, especially as heating is necessary to stay healthy physically (I have rheumatoid arthritis and pain increases in cold and damp).”
“The increase in electricity and gas bill means I had to turn the heating off most of the time. I worry a great deal about the future.”
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