As the new year approaches, a lingering light permeates the atmosphere, both literally and metaphorically, spreading feelings of hope and joy, since for many, Christmas is a holiday synonymous with happy family moments and cherished traditions.

Yet, for some – including many Greek Australians – it is a time marked by feelings of loneliness, financial strain, and the weight of unmet expectations.

When charity meets Christmas

According to Yiannis Pilalidis from the Welfare Centre of the Archdiocese of Australia, which supports parents, partners, or other relatives of those dealing with gambling addiction, substance abuse, and alcoholism by gathering food and toys, “the need for support is significant again this year,” for individuals caught in the grip of their own “bad habits.”

Pilalidis also mentioned to Neos Kosmos, that the number of people assisting with food distribution is “consistently heartwarming” every year, with many newcomers, who were once recipients of aid, now willingly volunteering to help those less fortunate this year.

Furthermore, there have been numerous cases of elder abuse noted in Melbourne, which is also significant issue within the Greek community, as previously stated to Neos Kosmos, by Niki Efthymiadi, the Director of Elderly Care and Coordinated Care at PRONIA.

In fact, elder financial abuse frequently stems from family members, with some of the elderly having their pensions “taken” by their own children to “satisfy their own desires.”

High cost of living during holidays

With the high cost of living putting tremendous pressure many Greek Australians, Christmas expenses add an extra “economic” burden to households.

According to a 31-year-old Greek-Australian mother of two young children who chose to remain anonymous, the fact that “everything has gone up,” has prompted her to approach her Christmas shopping a bit differently this year, to stay within budget.

“Everything has gone up and you just gotta to do what you gotta do. You must accept it. But what I found helped me, is to simply buy things when they’re on sale,” she told Neos Kosmos.

Despite the ongoing worries that plague people’s minds about the rising cost of living, the 31-year-old, said she is not planning to cut back on Christmas expenses significantly, even though she knows families who decided to “step down and say we can’t do it,” this year.

For her, the joy of giving simply makes her “happy”, coming “from a family” that values generosity.

Battling loneliness

Christmas can be tough on both the wallet and the heart, as loneliness can be one of the hardest feelings during this season.

For some, especially the older members of our community, it’s not about buying gifts. Instead, they value the gift of a visit, companionship, and the feeling that someone took the time to remember them.

During the holiday season, it’s common for their children to be absent, a lot of the times, due to them having “other plans.”

This often leads many of our seniors, to spend hours immersed in memories, looking at albums with family photos, and reliving moments from those “good old times” in a desperate attempt to alleviate their feelings of loneliness.

Sophia, who works at Fronditha Care as a member of the Lifestyle team, which organises activities aimed at socialisation, entertainment, and the well-being of the elderly, told Neos Kosmos that “every person, regardless of age, can feel loneliness,” especially during Christmas.

She further emphasised the importance of “joining groups that can alleviate or minimize this feeling.”

With the majority of residents being Greek, she points out that at Fronditha Care, her “big Greek family,” as she calls it, they are working to revive Greek culture. This means bringing back habits and traditions that represent the Greek way of life.

“Their eyes always tear up. Just like them, we all share the same love; the love for our homeland,” adds Sophia.

She describes these individuals as having lived in times when moral values were crucial, citing respect, love, family, religion, solidarity, philotimo (love of honor), and support.

After teaching high school in Kozani, Greece for 13 years, Sophia, didn’t anticipate finding a job in Australia that could match her love for education. However, in her role at Frontitha, a strong connection has developed between her team and the elderly residents, which is aimed at helping these individuals “navigate the final stage of their lives as smoothly as possible.”

A kind reminder

Loneliness is more than just a feeling; it has been linked to premature death, compromised physical and mental health, heightened psychological distress, and an overall sense of dissatisfaction with life.

Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness was already a major concern in Australia, recognised as one of the most pressing public health priorities.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that older people aged 85 and over were more likely to live alone (35%) than other age groups, while also highlighting the significant health and wellbeing consequences associated with social isolation and loneliness across Australia.

As we enter December and prepare for our year-end reflections, it’s vital to remember that our financial status, whether good or bad, is not as significant as having our loved ones nearby.

A kind reminder, to express our love to our elderly, by offering them a warm hug, engage in a conversation, and give them a reason to smile before they become another memory in a forgotten album of family photos.