A few weeks ago, I blogged about a USA Today story on rising bankruptcy rates among the elderly. Today, the paper featured an article with much broader implications: the impact of rising prices on the lives of elderly people living on fixed incomes.

Across the country, seniors are cutting back and seeking out programs and services to help them save money on everything from food to home repairs. Take some of the stories heard at one San Diego food bank. Jannie Hicks, 75, is eating more canned vegetables to compensate for the rising costs of fresh produce.  To save money on gas, Hicks only drives to the grocery store, church and the food bank. Phone calls have replaced regular visits to her friends. Carmen Gonzalez, another senior at the food bank, slashed her grocery bill to just $50 a month. She survives by making tamales and enchiladas with cheese instead of meat.

There are statistics behind these stories. In a recent survey, AARP found that 59% of Americans over 65 reported having more trouble paying for food, gas and medicine. Researchers believe that’s why a growing number of older people are headed to places like credit-counseling centers to find help.

What about Social Security? Well, amount individuals receive is indexed with inflation, but some argue that this isn’t enough because they have a disproportionate need for some goods, like medications. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, premiums for Medicare and its newer drug coverage, as well as the money needed for co-pays, deductibles and any other related costs, eat up 26% of a typical Social Security check.

Other factors, like giving adult financial help, lowering home equity and of course, the high costs of long-term care are affecting the economic strain these seniors are feeling.

While there is no quick fix to this problem, what our country can do to help these individuals is support federal programs, like Section 202 affordable housing, that can help these individuals ensure that their basic needs are fulfilled while avoiding premature, and costly, institutional care. That’s a smart investment.