Lucious Philpot, 72, says he isn't one to give up. The economy might not be the best, but he says he'll make it.

He returned to work after the bills became more than he could afford. He provides custodial services at the Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center four hours a day. Then, if it's not too hot, he'll do yard work or odd jobs to make ends meet.

"It's just hard to make it -- I don't know if there's any other way to put it," he said.

Mr. Philpot started work at Shiloh about three years ago through Experience Works, a nonprofit organization for seniors to get training to return to the work force.

But such help is getting harder to come by as national economic hardships and state budget cuts have hit local resources for seniors. The CSRA Area Agency on Aging has seen a 28 percent increase in referrals since April.

"That's unprecedented," said Jeanette Cummings, the agency's director.

The organization, part of the Georgia Department of Human Resources' Division of Aging Services, is facing budget cuts when there are more seniors than ever on waiting lists for services: 449 people in need of meal deliveries, 637 for housekeeping assistance, and 379 for personal care in the 13 counties of the region.

Seniors on a fixed income have fewer discretionary dollars, Ms. Cummings said, so increases in gas and food prices have more seniors seeking help.

Kathleen Ernce, the executive director of the Senior Citizens Council, an Augusta-area advocacy group, says some seniors are buying food, gas or medications, but not all three.

"I don't hear of many seniors who are taking unnecessary trips," she said.

Some seniors lived through the Great Depression and know what hard times are like, she said, and they don't want to face them again. "Their biggest fear is some two, three, four, five years down the road is that we will be back in the Depression that we were before," Ms. Ernce said.

The Area Agency on Aging tries to help seniors keep their independence in their homes rather than face the increased health costs of a nursing home.

Budget constraints are forcing them to cut corners, such as delivering several frozen meals on one day instead of daily hot meals.

Emily Leckie, Experiences Works' area coordinator, said her agency has changed some shifts to more hours in fewer days to cut down on gas usage.

Seniors' struggles also affect their families. Phillis Scott and her siblings have been taking care of their mother, who is 84 and disabled.

After paying bills, her mother has nothing left for everyday life. The pressure of taking care of her mother wasn't something Ms. Scott anticipated.

"I'm so used to her being the strong one," she said.

To provide for seniors who need help, the Area Agency on Aging is reaching out to communities, civic groups and churches.

"We're not looking to the government to meet these needs," Ms. Cummings said. Volunteers can "adopt" a senior, sponsor a meal plan ($4.45 per day, or $89 per month) or build wheelchair-accessible ramps. "We should be able to step up to the plate and do this as a community."

Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.