Pensioners Observatory President Dimos Antoniou has painted a grim picture of deadly heatwave repercussions for many elderly couples or singles who are simply afraid to turn on the fans, as rising electricity prices means they will be left with no money at the end of the month.
As a result, an increasing number are succumbing to heatstroke effects. ‘They are dying right next to us’, Antoniou says, once again pleading with the Electricity Authority and the state to offer generous discounts for low pension individuals. If not, he added, then the Observatory plans to take its case to the European Court of Human Rights, as they did in Switzerland, winning a decision against the state on lack of adequate protection measures.
Beyond the heatwave issues though, additional quality of life problems are piling up, as there have been increasing complaints of carers or relatives financially exploiting the elderly or pensioners being subjected to age racism.
Most of those living alone have little or no support, their pension not enough to survive and often causing a number of health issues, including the heatstrokes. ‘They call us up and say they can’t make the electricity bill’, Antoniou notes. The Observatory encourages frequent showers to cool themselves down or ice packs, but such solutions are only temporary and mostly ineffective.
Air conditioned areas provided by a number of municipalities are a way out but pensioners simply don’t have the means of using them for long periods. They will stay at such facilities for a couple of hours and then go home again.
The Pensioners Observatory is suggesting 20% plus discounts in electricity bills for the population’s vulnerable groups, which include pensioners. Low earners are recorded, but unfortunately they are still not part of the EAC’s discount scheme. ‘This should happen now’, Antoniou pleaded, as people are dying in this scorching summer.
The Observatory will be seeking legal advice for its ECHR appeal, should the government not respond to its calls.
