Legendary star of the silver screen Ingrid Berman once said, “Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better.”
That may still be true for some; however, today the sky-high cost of groceries, insurance premiums, health care and rent are making the view of the future not so bright for a growing number of seniors. That’s especially true in Florida.
Seniors make up 22% of Florida’s population, that’s about 4.5 million over the age of 65. In just seven years, that number is projected to increase more than 10 percentage points. And while Florida remains the No. 1 retirement destination, change is on the horizon.
According to a new study, the price of rent has more than 35% of Florida seniors “feeling pressured” to move, which is nearly three times the national rate.
Another source of financial strain for seniors on a fixed income is homeowners’ insurance premiums which went up 20% between 2021 and 2023. That rate is unsustainable for most folks and especially for retirees on a budget.
The average annual retirement income is a little more than $31,000. Of the Florida retirees who own or finance a home, 34% of their average income is spent on homeowners’ insurance. That same expense takes up just 8% of seniors’ income across the nation.
We all know the privilege of dying old is denied to many. But America’s elderly should be able to retire with dignity and that’s not the case with more than 17 million seniors living at or below poverty level, leading to homelessness.
Florida seniors are struggling and thankfully our state offers programs to help lower prescription drug costs, utility bills and home health care for our older population. Counties across the state have started approving and building more affordable housing for seniors, which is encouraging. But clearly more needs to be done, now.
State and national lawmakers must do better. Society must do better too because caring for our seniors is one of our greatest responsibilities as a nation and should be one of our highest honors.
While we wait to see how state lawmakers will help seniors in the legislative session next spring, we as individuals can do something now, especially during this season of giving.
If you can afford to help a senior, please do. If you don’t have the funds, drop off a meal to an elderly neighbor or just lend them an ear and spend some time talking with them. These small gestures are priceless to someone who is lonely and isolated.
Never forget the timeless saying that still rings true today: “Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”
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