Seniors coping with rising costs on fixed income

Clovis senior citizens said they are coping with the high price of gas and groceries so far.

Many of those having breakfast at the Baxter-Curren Senior Center on Thursday morning said they are fortunate to have retirement incomes that allow them to continue to meet expenses.

Others are cutting back on travel because of the high cost of gas.

“I try to get all my errands done in a row, so I don’t have to take the car out more than once a week,” said Marie Wells, who lives at the Senior Citizen Residence Center.

“It’s too cotton-pickin’ high,” said Mickey Givan of Melrose. “I don’t know how they expect us to do it, but I still am.”

She said she would like to drive to New York to visit her daughter.

“I don’t know if I can,” Givan said. “With the cost of gas, I’m stuck.”

Dealing with inflation is particularly challenging for seniors because they live on a fixed income, said Brenda Hankins, program coordinator for Baxter-Curren.

“They get a raise in Social Security once a year,” she said. “Their budget doesn’t go as far as it did last year or last month. Most have already cut all the corners they can.”

The Energy Information Administration Web site reports the U.S. average price of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.29 Monday — 58 cents higher than one year ago.

Grocery costs are spiraling up, too.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Web site:

• a loaf of white bread that cost $1.17 a year ago now costs $1.32;

• a pound of ground chuck was $2.64 now costs $2.79;

• a dozen large eggs was $1.75 and is now $2.17.

“So far I’ve managed all right,” said Arleen Woffenden of Clovis. “I don’t use a lot of gas or groceries.”

Woffenden said she fills up her car’s gas tank about every three weeks.

Seniors recognize that the increased cost of fuel and food are difficult for others.

“We just happen to be fortunate to have retirement,” said Maxine Hinderliter of Clovis. “It hasn’t hurt us."

“Many people are struggling to make ends meet,” said Hinderliter, who volunteers to help prepare income tax returns for low-income residents.

Donald Patterson of Clovis said his children keep coming to him for money.

“It’s hard for a lot of people,” he said. “I’m fortunate to have retirement.”

Hankins worries about frail seniors who isolate themselves at home, partly because they can’t afford to go anywhere, and said the senior center will be working to provide more transportation for senior citizens.

She said she knows of some senior citizens who can’t afford to go to Lubbock, Amarillo or Albuquerque to get needed health care.