ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Both Helen Baker and Mary Heminger live on fixed incomes. Both are in their 80s, and both women could be in danger of cutting too many corners when it comes to spending.

Even though their incomes are staying the same, the cost of everything else keeps rising. Experts say that can be dangerous for the elderly who live on fixed incomes.

According to a recent survey by AARP, 59 percent of seniors said they're finding it more difficult to pay for essential items like food, gas and medicine. More than half of those surveyed are simply choosing to spend less money on the things they need the most.

"Because we all lived through the depression, we know how to cut corners [on things like] food, traveling and groceries," explained 82-year-old Mary Heminger.

Jeff Stuber owns Home Instead, a senior care business that provides non-medical in-home care for seniors. He told WSBT seniors are very anxious about their money. He said they're very cautious and economic-minded.

Stuber said many of his clients try to save money by cutting back on medications prescribed by doctors.

"There was one [pill the doctor] wanted me to take that was like $72 for one pill," explained 80-year-old Helen Baker. "I told him at my age, I'm not going to spend $72 for one pill. And it wasn't anything that I thought was very vital to me."

Mary Heminger said she only takes the medication she "absolutely has to."

Home Instead's Jeff Stuber said a struggling economy might cause the elderly to stop using air conditioning, end social gatherings and cut back on the amount of groceries they buy. But he's quick to point out: not all seniors are cutting back.

Laura Klinghammer, 95, told WSBT her late husband's retirement benefits keep her comfortable.

"I don't realize the economy is as bad as it is," she said. "It doesn't affect me."

On her husband's benefit plan from Bendix, Klinghammer said she gets a 3-month supply of prescription drugs for $11.

But she does have at least one thing in common with other seniors who lived through the Great Depression and two World Wars.

"We have learned to cut back, which a lot of the younger people don't understand," explained Mary Heminger.

If you are a senior citizen and you're having trouble making ends meet or if you know a senior who could be in trouble, experts say you should never be afraid to ask for help.

You can call your local Area on Aging office or a professional agency like Home Instead.

Experts say there are also safe ways for seniors to cut back on spending and maybe save a little money. Watch for sales at the grocery store, but don't buy something just because it's on sale.

Also, if a senior has bad vision problems like macular degeneration, they shouldn't be paying for magazine or newspaper subscriptions if they can't read them.