Keep in mind older widows at Christmas

Dr Tracy Collins

A Salford academic has asked people to remember widows at Christmas as it can be an isolated and stressful time for some older women.

Dr Tracy Collins’ study of women aged 62-90 years old found family friction can be exacerbated at Christmas and the social expectations of the occasion unmet.

Christmas can lead to financial strain and family disagreements for some widows who continue to feel obliged to buy presents for adult children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Some of the women described a feeling of passivity as their roles and responsibilities in the family changed and they no longer took an active part in arranging and preparing the Christmas meal.

Disabled and housebound widows can feel particularly isolated over the Christmas holiday as there may be limited opportunities to take part in social activities.

However, Christmas can be a catalyst for change for widows who become involved in new activities and take a different approach to life. Some of the women, especially those who had been widowed for a long time, choose to spend Christmas away from their families and homes for a different experience.

The study also found that the widows appreciate the Christmas cards they receive as they help to sustain connections with family and friends, some of whom live far away.

Dr Collins of the School of Health Sciences said: “It’s easy to overlook older people at this busy time of year when there’s so much to do, but it’s important to make them feel involved in the occasion.

“Something as simple as sending a Christmas card can help – a small gesture which doesn’t take too much time out of the day.”

Dr Tracy Collins, Managing Transition: A Longitudinal Study of Personal Communities in Later Life Widowhood, 2011.

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