Minimum pension and health burden: Caroline K. lives with 200 euros

Minimum pension and health burden: Caroline K. lives with 200 euros

at the age of 62, Caroline K. is faced with numerous challenges from the Donaustadt. Strong health problems, especially varicose veins, are troubled by their everyday life. These clearly visible veins, which occur in many people in the legs, arise from blood thaw and affect the quality of life. In order to relieve the symptoms, she has been wearing compression stockings for more than ten years that have proven to be essential. These stockings exert pressure on the legs to promote blood circulation and relieve pain, as numerous studies confirm. Nevertheless, wearing at high temperatures remains a sweaty challenge for Caroline, who takes care of her health in this way [Die-gesundeundehheit.de reports that ...].

But the financial hurdles are great. A few compression stockings costs around 85 euros, and Caroline needs at least two couples in summer and four in the rest of the year. "The health insurance company only takes over two pairs a year," she says resigned. She has to bear the remaining costs, which represents an immense burden in connection with her monthly pension of 1,274 euros, which she receives as a minimum pensioner. After deducting all fixed costs, your slump 200 euros remain to life. "That is not enough in the back and front," says Caroline, who cannot afford a restaurant or cinema vision and therefore spends their free time with crocheting and collecting dolls [today.at reports that ...].

state support and social help

The Caroline apartment has been part of the municipal building from the 1950s for over 20 years. The last renovation of her shower and kitchen, which cost around 1,900 euros, she could not have lifted. Fortunately, she received financial support: the pension insurance took over 920 euros, and the open amount of 1,000 euros was paid by a donation organization. Caritas social counseling also stood by her side and took care of further help. Last year, a total of 16,500 people were supported by Caritas in Vienna, 55 percent of which were women. Klaus Schwertner, director of Caritas, reports that after deducting living and energy costs, many people remain only 15 euros per day- a situation that accepts alarming proportions [today.at reports that ...].

There are numerous health promotion programs throughout Austria, especially for older people. The Federal Ministry of Health is conducting current studies, in particular the "Health 65+" between 2021 and 2024, which deals with the health situation of older people and provides valuable data, how social support affects its quality of life [Federal Ministry.de reports that ...]. The focus is not only on physical aspects, but also on the social conditions that have a decisive influence on well -being.