Melbourne seniors struggling for food and shopping
Rising food and fuel prices, a lack of transport to shops, poor health, and restricted diets have led to one in eight people in a
A Monash University-RMIT survey of 80 people aged 56 to 94 who used Meals-On-Wheels, and seniors’ dining room service in Melton, found many struggled to feed themselves adequately.
While they could feed themselves, around 23% said they had sought help from food relief agencies.
Almost half grew their own fruit and herbs, and 12% said they relied on home grown produce as their main source of fresh food.
Study co-author, Dr Susan Feldman, said that many elderly people were too proud to admit they could not afford to eat properly.
“They knew about food banks and said that when their bills piled up the pension did not cover everything.
“This is a very dire situation for many people, and there is no indication that the situation is any better elsewhere in Victoria, and it may well be worse”, Dr Feldman said.
More than a third surveyed were not within walking distance of shops, and most even found walking 500 metres too demanding.
More than 35% had difficulty cooking or eating because of arthritis, diabetes, and dental or digestive problems.
One in three sought help from family and friends, and up to half relied on council services, such as free community buses and community kitchens run by church and ethnic groups.
