Struggling to Keep Up: The Cost of Living Crisis for People with Disabilities and the Elderly

As prices continue to rise on essentials like groceries, rent, fuel, and power, many Australians are being forced to make tough financial decisions. But for some in our community—especially older adults and people living with disabilities—the cost of living crisis isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s overwhelming. 

Often reliant on fixed incomes such as the age pension or disability support payments, these individuals have little flexibility to manage sudden increases in living costs. And unlike many others, they face additional daily expenses that most of us don’t. 

More Than Just Bills 

Living with a disability or the challenges of aging often involves costs like mobility aids, medications, in-home care, or modified housing and transport needs. These aren’t optional extras—they’re essential to maintaining independence, health, and dignity. 

As expenses rise, more people are being forced to make impossible choices—between heating and eating, or between filling a prescription and paying rent. These sacrifices come at a serious cost to health and wellbeing. 

Isolation and Accessibility Barriers 

When transport becomes unaffordable and services harder to reach, the social impact is just as serious as the financial one. Older people and people with disabilities can quickly become isolated, making it even harder to seek help or stay connected to their community. 

Healthy Eating on a Budget 

Food is often one of the first areas where people try to cut costs, but eating well on a tight budget is difficult—especially if you have specific dietary or health needs. 

A great resource that can help is the “Tightarse Cookbook” from Ballarat Community Health. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide full of healthy, low-cost recipes and tips to make your food budget go further. It’s ideal for anyone looking to cook simple, nutritious meals without spending a fortune. 

Unity Living: Here to Support You 

At Unity Living, we understand how challenging these times can be. We pride ourselves on providing access to a wide range of resources, information, and personalised support to help our clients navigate the rising cost of living with confidence and dignity. 

Whether it’s connecting you with affordable services, guiding you through available assistance options, or simply being a trusted support network—we’re here to help. 

Need More Information? 

If you or someone you care about is feeling the pressure of rising living costs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Unity Living is here to help.