Despite the inflation that has caused the prices of housing, gas, groceries and just about everything else to rise, Social Security for senior citizens remains predominantly fixed. Living on a fixed income creates very serious issues for senior citizens, especially in rural areas where resources can be scant.
At the Humboldt County Board of Commissioners regular meeting on Feb. 6, Nevada Rural Counties Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Chief Executive Officer Molly Walt presented an update to the Board (with all Commissioners present).
RSVP provides numerous resources to senior citizens for no cost or on an optional donation basis, like transportation, respite care, companionship, legal assistance, homemaker services, and more.
According to RSVP officials, there has been a significant uptake in seniors that contact RSVP for services, especially transportation. A common situation occurs when seniors have their own vehicles, but have to choose between fueling up their vehicles, getting groceries, or paying for medications and other necessities.
Local RSVP driver Craig “Skip” Becker has volunteered with RSVP for almost a decade and has seen this circumstance regularly.
“Inflation is just killing everybody. It’s really sad and we have seniors that have to choose between medicine that keeps them going and putting food on the table,” explained Becker.
Walt said that it is extremely hard to find volunteers today, even with mileage reimbursement and other compensation that RSVP offers for homemaker services and other programs.
“There’s a tremendous need for transportation and companions and now more and more I’ve seen that in town there is a definite need for homemakers,” Becker explained.
Commissioner Jesse Hill stated that it was nice to be made aware of these types of concerns in the community and that the Commission would consider granting funding to RSVP during the next budget cycle to help RSVP continue to take care of local seniors.
On Feb. 7, City and County officials heard concerns among seniors in the community about rising rent and other costs during a presentation by Silver State Fair Housing Council (SSFHC) at the Pleasant Senior Center.
SSFHC is a non-profit agency that advocates for equal access to housing in Nevada and canvasses the state, educating Nevadans, including senior citizens, about the rights they have as tenants and the laws that protect them.
Later that day, at the Winnemucca City Council meeting, Councilmen Mike Ownens and Vince Mendiola (who were present at the SSFHC meeting) expressed concern about the struggles that seniors are facing.
“I think we need to visit with Nevada Rural Housing to find out what [they are] doing to protect our seniors,” said Owens.
Senior citizens that attended the SSFHC meeting reported that rent in local senior residences has or will be increasing anywhere from $100 to $600 per month.
“That just seems outrageous if they’re trying to price [seniors] out and it’s very unfortunate. I think that the City, County and State government should be able to do something about it,” said Mendiola.