[michiganmom48]

Well I know the company that I'm sure provided services to him. I'm sure the point of he was to proud was right or maybe to elderly to know of what he could do. I'm sure like many he thought putting layers of clothes would help . But the elderly have issues with blood flow which is why in Nursing homes the heat feels like 90 yet the people have sweaters on. I just know people die every year with issues regarding heat and things being shut off. Usually you will hear that people tried using candles and then fire happens. I get the companies provide a service and want their money but in these times that I think will really get worse we are going to have to change this cut and dry thinking we have. But I do agree that neighbors and family need to be looking out for each other more. I also think that companies could call people not just send and talk to people before they shut off and it may need a person not a computer to go and talk to people.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by michiganmom48

Well I know the company that I'm sure provided services to him. I'm sure the point of he was to proud was right or maybe to elderly to know of what he could do. I'm sure like many he thought putting layers of clothes would help . But the elderly have issues with blood flow which is why in Nursing homes the heat feels like 90 yet the people have sweaters on. I just know people die every year with issues regarding heat and things being shut off. Usually you will hear that people tried using candles and then fire happens. I get the companies provide a service and want their money but in these times that I think will really get worse we are going to have to change this cut and dry thinking we have. But I do agree that neighbors and family need to be looking out for each other more. I also think that companies could call people not just send and talk to people before they shut off and it may need a person not a computer to go and talk to people.

Are you willing to pay more for the companies to provide this service??

[kathys]

Unfortunately, this is going to become a common thing. As more and more of the population ages, and they have to depend on fixed incomes. How will they be able to survive? The money they have coming in will not be able to cover all the expenses. Year after year the costs go up, what they have coming in will barely pay for the food let alone utilities and medical.
These people are all going to be throwaways.I can see the suicide rate increasing in the elderly population.

[janetvj]

Originally Posted by Driller1

How were you billed?? In this man's case it was lights, water and sewer. My light bill is about $75. It is my water, as I have a well, and most of my heat because I use GEO, with propane back up.

In my case I have an electric heat pump. The bill is issued once a month. We have had a very cold January. I use space heaters as well as the heat pump to try to keep it reasonably warm.

I''m not sure if my friend's mother has gas or electric heat, but both have gone up dramatically over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, $1,000 a month bills are not that unusual in the coldest winter months for some of the larger houses.

If this man's electric bill was just for lights, water, and sewer, what type of heat did he have? I assume oil or gas would require some type of electric ignition?

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by kathys

Unfortunately, this is going to become a common thing. As more and more of the population ages, and they have to depend on fixed incomes. How will they be able to survive? The money they have coming in will not be able to cover all the expenses. Year after year the costs go up, what they have coming in will barely pay for the food let alone utilities and medical.
These people are all going to be throwaways.I can see the suicide rate increasing in the elderly population.

This man had the money.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by janetvj

In my case I have an electric heat pump. The bill is issued once a month. We have had a very cold January. I use space heaters as well as the heat pump to try to keep it reasonably warm.

I''m not sure if my friend's mother has gas or electric heat, but both have gone up dramatically over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, $1,000 a month bills are not that unusual in the coldest winter months for some of the larger houses.

If this man's electric bill was just for lights, water, and sewer, what type of heat did he have? I assume oil or gas would require some type of electric ignition?

I have no idea what kind of heat he had. I would guess gas. Furnaces will not run without electric. He had money to pay.

[kathys]

Yes, I know he had the money, but there are others like him that may not. Even that they may have money, being that age he probably had Alzheimers or dementia, hearing loss, etc. Many people with alzheimers can be difficult to handle, they get aggitated and mean, forgetful. He may have had the money there ready at one minute and the next minute would not have a clue what it was for.
There are no easy answers.

[magellan]

I think we need a cause to fix this. Maybe a special tax we can all pay. That's much easier than actually caring about and checking in on elderly neighbors. Or helping them get into a proper home.

Let's also not forget the guy was 93, which is 20 years past normal life expectancy for a male. He was bound to be taken by something.

[michiganmom48]

People better snap out of this idea that things are like they were. Isn't Michigan the state with the highest unemployment rate. We are no longer living in the times of saying people without or who get welfare are welfare trash. We can't say that women are having children just to get more welfare. We all need to take responsibity for each other and if the companies need to do extra stuff so what. People who once had good jobs and nice homes don't anymore. This man might have been able to pay but many can't. Many people have there gas turned down and lights off and still in the winter the bill is still high We are living in a period where some of us never thught we would be as parents. I'm 48 I had a home, food went to the doctors and true couldn't have the best of everything. Now we as parents are saying this isn't want we wanted. People don't have insurance so even if they get sick they can't go. These comercials about doing this and getting a flu shot and all that are so ignorant. People can't do that they don't have the money. State aren't sure if they can even cover all the unemployment they have. As much as I think are new President is trying , nothing will change anytime soon. It most likley will get worse. In the USA THERE SHOULD NOT BE PEOPLE FREEZING TO DEALTH IN THEIR HOMES. We all have to watch each other and yes too bad electric and gas companies better fiqure out some safe gaurds before they shut off stuff in states where it is below zero.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by kathys

Unfortunately, this is going to become a common thing. As more and more of the population ages, and they have to depend on fixed incomes. How will they be able to survive? The money they have coming in will not be able to cover all the expenses. Year after year the costs go up, what they have coming in will barely pay for the food let alone utilities and medical.
These people are all going to be throwaways.I can see the suicide rate increasing in the elderly population.

The suicide rate is already high in that group!