Keeping Out the Cold
We don’t have to search hard to see the effect that high oil prices have had on consumers. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, oil prices jumped to unprecedented levels. Automobile drivers, the airlines, and virtually any business that relies on transportation saw this increase cut into their respective wallets. Now, with winter quickly approaching, residents face the challenge of paying high heating costs without completely emptying their pockets.
Elders living independently in the community are of particular concern. Adhering to fixed incomes, seniors must somehow meet the tremendous increase in fuel costs out of necessity. After all, how can seniors live safely in their homes if their homes aren’t habitable in the cold winter months?
Seniors and their caregivers should let their elected officials know that the high home heating costs may seriously affect their health and financial security. Recently, Representative Edward J. Markey invited Medford Resident Dorothy Elizabeth Tucker to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee (see related article) in Washington D.C. Mrs. Tucker eloquently described the impact of high heating costs on elders, like herself, in the community. Such advocacy needs to continue. Seniors and their families should continue to press officials on limiting oil prices. I strongly encourage you to call or write your local representative or senator and explain how the cost of heating your home will be increasingly burdensome and potentially impossible to afford.
What can you do for immediate help? If you have limited income, you may qualify for fuel assistance. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offered by the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency, provides some assistance with home heating. To access LIHEAP in the MVES area, contact Tri-City Community Action Programs, Lynn Economic Opportunity, Inc., or Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. Assistance is available for people whose income is up to 200% of the federal poverty level. For a two-person family this amount is $25,660.
The best way to lower your heating bill is to reduce the energy you use. By winterizing your home with weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows, you can greatly reduce the amount of energy needed. To learn more about winterization, read National Grid's heating suggestions or the State's energy savings resources. Depending on your income, you may qualify for subsidized help with winterizing your home.
There is little doubt that heating our homes will be expensive this winter. But, let’s work on both the political and practical fronts to lower our bills this season!
