senior cost of Living Dilemma -- Government COLA numbers don't match reality

The "Real" Cost of Living vs. The 2.8% COLAWhile the official COLA for 2026 is 2.8%, research from the Senior Citizens League and other advocacy groups suggests that the "senior-specific" inflation rate often sits significantly higher.For many seniors, a nursing home is used as a de facto housing program. If you cannot afford rent and have even a minor health issue, the system often defaults to placing you in a facility because Medicaid will pay for the "bed" there, but often won't pay for "rent" in an apartment.If your costs have increased by 95% over the last 5 years but your Social Security has only increased by 25%, you are effectively living on 70% less purchasing power than you had five years ago. This is why you feel "upside down"—because, mathematically, you are. For me here in Utah it looks like this, What $1.00 bought in 2021 will. now cost me $1.95 I have lost almost 50% of my buying power in 5 years. The 25% total COLA increases just don't cut it.The Utah Stat: The number of Utahns over the age of 64 experiencing homelessness rose by 42% in just the last year. This is significantly higher than the increase for the general population. According to th Utah Point in Time count 2026.