Baby it's cold outside

Burrrrrrr, I don’t know about where you live but it is getting pretty cold here. Yesterday my animals took one look outdoors and refused to go outside. Mind you they are pretty spoiled.

Cold can bring on the feeling that you are just too tired to socialize. You may have less energy and not want to go outside yourself. Making connections with others can keep our spirits up. Especially for those dealing with things like not being able to pay the heating bill. How many times have you had to sacrifice heat in liew of paying the rent? As we head into this holiday season, I would ask you to consider this: There are a lot of seniors and disabled people unable to pay their heating bills. I know many that are living in their cars or in substandard housing that doesn’t keep them warm.

Where I live the rent has gone from 625 a month to 1200 a month in most apartments. They have not upgraded anything just charged more in most places. People in disability get roughly 750 a month to live on. From that rent is deducted. even subsidised housing takes money from that 750. There is no reduction in the cost of electricity or gas to heat the home. If they have a bill over 200 per month which is common they generally don’t have enough food for the month.

Check-in with people you know this season. See how they are doing with their heating bills and food. reach out to someone that lives alone to make sure they are doing ok. It is our job to take care of each other.

Many blessings

Karen Van Acker LPC