Broken teeth last on struggling retiree's list of priorities
Lu Le-thuong has been restricted to eating soft food since January, when she fell and landed on her chin, knocking her front teeth loose. But she has yet to see a dentist because she is afraid of the cost.
The 74-year-old's only income is the government's so-called 'fruit money', which comes to $700 a month. Her husband died almost 20 years ago and she has no children.
Her largest expense is $1,004 a month rent for her small studio apartment in a Tsz Wan Shan public housing estate. Bills for telephone, electricity and gas add up to $300 to $400 a month. So for now, Ms Lu's teeth will have to wait, unless she gets a rent reduction.
'Of course, I could use the extra money. To us elderly people a few hundred dollars means a lot. In the past, I wasn't as frugal, but now I have no choice. I have no money in my wallet,' she says.
Ms Lu left her $3,000-a-month factory job six years ago after her boss forced her to quit because of her age. She has since been living on her savings and the allowance.
She does not qualify for social security because her savings surpass the required limit.