As prices rise, elderly Americans have shifted their shopping and dining habits.
It may harm or isolate some. Marilynn Miller scrimped on food for a year. Ms. Miller, 89, shops at Walmart with her Social Security check.
Friends' dinners are too pricey.
Due of expense, she eats cheese and beans instead of meat.
“I've probably removed 90% of buying any meat because it's so expensive,” said Ms. Miller, who lives in a senior community in Crest Hill, Ill., 40 miles southwest of Chicago.
Rising supermarket and restaurant expenses have changed how many Americans—including many over 65—shop and eat out.
While food costs are projected to moderate this year, many will still feel constrained.
According to the USDA, food costs will rise another 7% in 2023 after rising nearly 10% last year.
Dairy, cereal, and baked foods keep rising.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the national average price of eggs rose to $4.25 a dozen in December from $1.78 a year earlier.
According to a January Federal Reserve Bank of New York report, lower-income households (those earning $50,000 or less) are being hit most by rising food prices, transportation, and housing costs.
According to Census Bureau data, six million Americans over 65—10% of their population—lived below the poverty level in 2021.
Social Security payouts climbed 8.7% this year, the largest inflation adjustment in decades, yet many retirees still need more.
Experts worry that older people in poor health or with lesser means may not have enough food or eat unhealthy items when prices rise.
If they stop dining out with friends, the squeeze could isolate them socially.
“This is a group that has diabetes, heart disease, and cancer risk,” said Dr. Preeti Malani, a University of Michigan professor of medicine and National Poll on Healthy Aging researcher.
“Food is part of their health and money has become a huge barrier to eating properly for a lot of people.”
Despite large savings or income from pensions or other retirement accounts, many retirees say prices have changed their grocery shopping and eating out habits.
Some are clipping coupons and planning weekly menus to buy only what is on sale and what they need.
(Many report wasting less food, which is good.)
Walmart, Dollar Tree, and others are now visited by some.
Some buy fewer meat, "treats," and alcohol.
Some first visit food banks.
“I had to go to the food bank,” said Vashon Island resident Linda Nygaard, 72.
She said she lived largely on Social Security.
Ms. Nygaard, a "foodie," said she shifted from costly grocery stores to Trader Joe's or Grocery Outlet.
She periodically visits a food bank for onions, carrots, potatoes, and dairy.
“I debate prices now,” Ms. Nygaard added.
Should I buy?
I decide I don't need it.
I buy for two to three days and consume the leftovers so nothing spoils.
Everyone's fridge's soggy lettuce?
I use it now, thus food waste is reduced.”
Ms. Nygaard and others share their pies and soups with her elderly community to reduce food waste.
“I have a terrible sweet tooth and love to bake, but I can't eat an entire pie by myself,” she remarked.
I share pie pieces with others in the building.
Some seniors fear isolating themselves more than making ends meet.
“Food insecurity can make older Americans more socially isolated,” said Syracuse University professor of public administration and international affairs Colleen Heflin, who is co-writing a book on food insecurity and older Americans.
Some can no longer afford Sunday dinners, so they stop having them.
“Food, for many older individuals, is a method to bring family to you, and if you cannot afford it, you're either not going to do it or you'll have less food for yourself later in the week because you value that interaction so highly.”
Some pandemic survivors wanted to go out to supper with pals, but it was pricey.
“I started going out for lunches once or twice a week, but soon the lunches turned into $20, and that's a lot of money,” said Sharon Cohen, 73, who owned a communications business for decades.
Instead, Ms. Cohen walks with friends or hosts book clubs.
She occasionally meets people for egg and bagel sandwiches at a local hub.
“As you become older, especially with Covid,” she added, “it becomes really vital to get out and be with others, even if it's for a stroll or a coffee.”
Ms. Cohen and her husband, Jean-Henry Mathurin, 80, have retirement savings accounts from their employers, but they are saving for a hospital stay.
They're struggling to pay their bills, including renovations to their 300-year-old Newtown, Conn. house.
Ms. Cohen and her husband cut spending to stretch their Social Security payouts.
They lowered the heat and phone expenses.
She buys less beef and her favorite Late July chips only on sale. And even though Ms. Cohen loves scallops,...