An 80-year-old pensioner has shared her "shame" of drinking milk for dinner when she can't afford groceries.
Her story comes as 20,178 people aged 60 and over asked for help from Anglicare Victoria relief centres in the past 12 months, nine in 10 of which were new clients.
About 19,400, or one in seven people, experiencing homelessness were aged 55 years and over Australia-wide in the 2021 Census.
Rosie*, a retired teacher living alone, found herself in the queue at an Anglicare Victoria relief centre five weeks after her hot water service had stopped working and she couldn't afford to fix it.
After paying the mortgage, she had $160 per fortnight to cover all her other expenses. She had bought and moved into her one-storey unit as her previous home became unsuitable for her mobility.
"Sometimes I have to manage in a way to be very specific about what I buy," she said.
"Sometimes I drink milk for dinner so I can go to bed with something in my stomach. It's a shame to speak about that, but that's how I manage."
Rosie had since received food vouchers and parcels, help with medicine, and worked with a financial councillor to negotiate a reduced mortgage, get immediate relief through a three-month hardship payment arrangement and look at other reductions.
Rosie finds it hard to ask for help from the centre.
"I mean, why am I in this situation? I made the decision to buy this house because of my condition. So I have to deal with it. It's a mix of feelings. (Getting the help) is a relief, but at the same time I ask myself what I'm telling you."
Donations the best way to help
Anglicare program manager Chris de Pavia said donating money was the best way to help people in need.
"Money is a more dignified response; (people) can buy what they need," he said.
This was particularly true for people of culturally diverse backgrounds, as it was not possible for centres to stock all the items from each culture.
"If we can give someone a food voucher, they can then go and choose what they need from a supermarket."
He said older clients had been looking for support, plus advice for lowering power bills.
"If you're single and on an age pension, it's pretty tough at the moment," he said.
"Do not be ashamed; there are lots of people who are doing it tough."
Anglicare Victoria's Winter Appeal to 'Take Hunger off the Table' is underway. Visit giving.anglicarevic.org.au or call on 1800 809 722.
*Rosie is a pseudonym to conceal her identity.
