Starting the Year Strong: Support When Life Feels Uncertain

January is often framed as a fresh start. For many older adults and families, however, the weeks after the holidays can feel heavier. Once celebrations end and routines return, emotional, financial, and mental health challenges often come into sharper focus.

“At the start of the year, we see a lot of people who held it together through the holidays and then realize they’re exhausted,” said Jessica Bozek, vice president of older adults and Jewish services at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Arizona (JFCS). “January is often when everything they’ve been carrying finally catches up with them.”

The Reality Behind the New Year

The idea of a January reset often clashes with the realities older adults face. Challenges such as grief, health concerns, caregiving responsibilities, and financial pressures don’t disappear with a new calendar.

“For many older adults, these challenges build over time,” Bozek said. “A new year doesn’t erase loss or stress. It just brings it into sharper focus.”

After the holidays, the return to quieter daily routines can make loneliness feel heavier, especially for those who have recently lost a spouse or loved one. Reaching out for support during this time can help people navigate these feelings and restore a sense of stability.

“These reactions are normal and incredibly common,” Bozek said. “They are not signs of weakness, just part of real life.”

How JFCS Provides Timely Support

JFCS provides year-round support, with many individuals and families reaching out during the winter months. Its services are designed to meet people where they are, addressing both emotional and practical needs.

Support includes counseling and behavioral health services, family and safety programs, and resources for older adults and caregivers. Throughout all services, the focus remains on accessibility, dignity, and connection.

“Our role is to be a steady presence,” Bozek said. “People don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out. Support works best when it’s timely and compassionate.”

Each January, JFCS connects with older adults who delayed seeking help until after the holidays, Bozek said. In one common situation she sees, an individual reaches out following the loss of a spouse, feeling isolated once family visits end and daily routines resume. Through counseling and connection to community resources, that person finds space to process grief and regain a sense of stability. The support is not about fixing everything at once, but about having someone to listen and help guide the next steps.

“Often, people just need to know they’re not alone,” Bozek said. “That connection can make a meaningful difference.”

Redefining Strength and Resilience

Many older adults hesitate to ask for help, particularly if they value independence. JFCS works to reframe that hesitation as an act of strength rather than a weakness.

“Asking for help shows resilience,” Bozek said. “It allows people to maintain independence in a healthier and more sustainable way.”

Stability, she noted, is built through community care and shared support, not individual willpower alone.

Moving Forward Together

As the new year unfolds, checking in on friends, neighbors, or loved ones can make a meaningful difference. Sharing information about available resources helps ensure support reaches those who need it. To learn more about services or find support, visit jfcsaz.org.