One in five pensioners live in poverty (From Warrington Guardian)

One in five pensioners live in poverty

A FIFTH of all pensioners live in poverty, according to research published by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC).

And Warrington pensioners say that while many older people are managing, they are still worrying about how to pay their next bill.

Social isolation brought on by limited mobility or the absence of family locally can also mean an impoverished existence.

Peter Haslan, secretary of the Warrington branch of the North West Pensioner's Association, agreed.

He said: "People do manage, but they are not living. They don't go away on holidays and they worry about paying their next bills or being able to leave anything for their grandchildren when they pass away. Britain is one of the richest countries in the world and it shouldn't be like this in 2005.

"There are benefits available, but you have to apply and lots of them are means-tested, which puts people off."

Nick Pyle, chief officer of Age Concern Warrington, said: "Some people who approach us for financial help are struggling to survive on very small pensions, although proper advice and help with form filling often results in substantial improvements in income. Over the past 12 months, our information and advice service in Warrington has received more than 2,400 inquiries.

"The poverty of opportunity faced by many older people is often harder to address. As communities change, and family moves away and people get more frail, it is easy for an older person living alone to lose the confidence to go out except for essentials."

The social activities provided by Age Concern Warrington include walking groups, arts and craft groups and opportunity for older people to meet up and be with friends.