Before the calendar flips to 2026, it’s worth adding one more important task to your list—a year-end legal and financial checkup. Taking a few hours now to review your key documents and accounts can prevent future problems, protect the people you love, and make sure your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend.

December is National Bath Safety Month, the perfect time to put the spotlight on bath safety for older adults. Now is the time to review your setup and make low-stress improvements to protect safety and dignity.

If you're one of the many people who went home for the holidays, you may have discovered that your elderly parents aren't doing as well as you thought they were. Here's how to handle this unsettling reality.