|
NuevaVida -> RE: What life is worth (1/27/2009 8:28:03 AM)
|
Terrible story, so very sad.
When my grandmother was 92 I showed up at her house to check on her, it was late November. She was wrapped in a blanket, sitting in front of her fireplace, burning paper products. Her house was about 58 degrees. And we're in California. I asked why she didn't have her heater on. She said the electric company came and did their annual winter check and red tagged it for a possible gas leak, shut it off, and left.
Not to be condescending of the elderly, but often times the world as it is today intimidates them. People move fast, talk fast, and do things fast. She had tried calling to sort it out, but the impatience she was met with on the phone frustrated her, so instead she did nothing.
I suspect (but really can't say) that the man in this story was lost as to how to figure his situation out, too. I can understand utility services turning power off - what other means/threat is there to get the average joe to pay? It doesn't have to be a majority that don't pay their bills to cause issues, but I believe there are sufficient enough people who might take advantage of a free ride, to cramp the companies and the rest of us who do pay.
It is indeed a horribly sad thing that this man did not seem to call anyone for help, and that he likely talked to some "helpful" schmuck on the phone (yes, I am assuming here) who was confusing, impatient, and less than helpful. That's what collections folks are, after all. Now, I can sit here at the age of 43 with a (somewhat) fully functioning mind and say if I felt THAT cold and no one was helping, I'd call 911 to pick me up and take me to a warm ER. But at 93, when my mind is likely already fading...who knows?
I don't know what the solution is - don't shut off power to the elderly during the winter? Don't shut off power at all to anyone in the winter? But then how will these folks pay come springtime? Where I live, PG&E sends notices out at the beginning of winter, to those who qualify as low income. They are given the option of being put on a minimal payment plan through the winter, to keep their service on and still pay something for it. I think it's a deal where you pay a certain amount every month all year, whether you use your heater and A/C or not. It's a way of spreading out the higher winter bills.
|
|
|
|
