Older people skip meals due to lack of money in recession

A study by Age Concern and Help the Aged shows a fifth of people over 60 were purposefully missing meals in order to save money, while two in five were struggling to afford basic provisions.

The poll of 1,200 people found most had no confidence that the Government would help them through the recession, with many instead resorting to extreme measure just to make ends meet - and putting their health at risk in the process.

The newly-merged charity said high prices meant many pensioners were forced to cut back on socialising as they struggled to afford such basics as food, electricity and gas.

The group’s charity director Michelle Mitchell said: ‘Many older people are being clobbered by high prices and are being pushed to extreme measures to cope financially. The Government cannot sit by while older people skip meals and put their health at risk. The oldest and poorest pensioners are being hit particularly hard.

‘The state of the economy is the defining issue of our times and this year’s Budget will have many demands on it, but the challenge to Government is to ensure that older people, and older voters, aren’t forgotten.’

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