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| Seniors Being Forced to Choose Between Filling Prescriptions or Heating Fuel Tanks |
| Tracey Cousineau |
| 12/18/2007 |
Many of the State’s elderly are in crisis when it comes to finding a way to pay for home heating oil. It is especially worrisome that many senior citizens will have to choose between putting food on the table, seeking medical care, filling their prescriptions or filling their oil tanks. To make matters worse, vulnerable elderly people may actually die because they are at a greater risk for hypothermia if they are forced to turn down the thermostat to afford other necessities. I have listed some resources that could assist or offset some of these expenses:
- Fuel Assistance (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and LIHEAP) assists low-income households in Penobscot county with high winter heating costs. Homes may be heated with oil, kerosene, coal, wood, LP gas or electricity. Electrical Utility Assistance Program assists low-income households in managing electricity costs. Penquis is still accepting applications, yet interviews are being scheduled for March. For more information, call 1-800-215-4942.
- Local general assistance programs through your town.
- The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program allows qualified families to receive a one-time delivery of up to 100 gallons of heating oil. Call 1-877-563-4645 or apply at www.citizensenergy.com/english/pages/OilHeatProgram.
- Meals for ME in home or community center based nutrition program through eastern area agency on aging 1-800-432-7812.
- Food stamps through the department of human
services in
- Lynx general ride could save on gasoline
costs. Call
1-866-853-5969 to
register.
- Health Access Network assists hundreds of people to receive healthcare and free or low cost prescriptions through their sliding fee program and patient assistance plans. Call 1-866-426-4584 or 794-6700 and ask for Tracey.
A person who lives alone and has few visitors is at a greater risk for hypothermia, heart attacks, strokes and respiratory illnesses from extended exposure to colder temperatures. Make sure the temperature in their home is at least 65 degrees. Also, be sure to check that they are wearing proper clothing to stay warm, especially at bedtime, as victims of hypothermia normally do not shiver and may seem unaware of colder conditions.
The risk of developing hypothermia also increases among senior citizens that have under active thyroids, suffer from diabetes or heart disease, or take certain prescribed medications. Medications that can increase an older person's risk for hypothermia include drugs that are used to treat anxiety, depression or nausea, and even some over-the-counter cold remedies. If you know an elderly or ailing person who lives alone, be sure to check on them daily.