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Taking care of elderly parents at home can be rewarding. Many seniors prefer to age in a familiar place, encouraging adult children to have aging parents live at home instead of residential care facilities.

However, caregiving encompasses huge responsibilities. Your loved one’s degree of mobility and independence impacts the type of work to expect. You typically need to assist with their daily activities, offer emotional support and manage medical needs — on top of your full-time job and other responsibilities.

Caregivers usually spend several hours a week caring for their loved ones. Aging adults also have evolving needs, affecting the level of care you should provide. Sufficient planning and preparation are essential for quality and effective care. In this guide, Village Caregiving details the steps to take and what to expect in the process.

Village Caregiving

Tips for Taking Care of an Elderly Loved One in Your Home

If you’re taking care of your aging parent, family member, friend or neighbor, then you’re considered an informal caregiver. Seniors who prefer to age at home are considered “aging in place” and can receive in-home care services for the short or long term.

As a caregiver, you typically assist with household tasks, personal care, medical care, food preparation and money matters. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Prepare and Assess Your Capacity for Care

First, plan for your loved one’s needs now and in the future. Consider whether they have illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease, and understand how these conditions affect their daily activities.

Once you identify such needs, assess how much you can accommodate. For instance, your aging parent may only need help with bathing. This makes it easier to work on other responsibilities, such as work or errands. Caring for your loved one is an active role, but home care services can help you if you need them.

Additionally, prepare for caregiving costs. Even without professional caregivers, you need to account for medication, mobility aids and additional groceries. Home care services are usually more affordable than residential care facilities. However, government programs also provide financial assistance when caring for your loved ones.

2. Ensure Your Home Is Safe and Accessible

Your home needs to be safe enough for your loved one to move about. A safe environment maintains their independence, while potentially reducing ac

Heidi Besen // Shutterstock

It’s that time of year when many households assess their budgets surrounding holiday parties, gifting and sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Local businesses, ecommerce businesses, and even governments collecting associated sales tax benefit from these end-of-year purchases. To accommodate the seasonal surge in spending, businesses must often plan ahead to account for increased traffic to stores and attractions during this time of year, making it important to understand the trajectory of holiday spending trends. Across the US, retail spending increased 7.75% between the holiday season in 2023 and 2024, but this figure varies greatly from state to state.

With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked U.S. states based on the year-over-year growth in retail spending across November and December 2024 and prior years, as well as each state’s preference for online versus in-store shopping.

Key Findings

• Holiday spending in Nebraska grew 32% year over year. Nebraska moved to the top spot for holiday spending growth between 2023 and 2024, after rebounding from last-place at -14.6% the year prior. South Carolina had the second-highest growth in holiday spending at 23.4%, while Nevada ranked third at 17.8%. Holiday spending in both South Carolina and Nevada has been on the upswing for four years running.
• In three states, holiday spending declined in 2024. Vermont saw the biggest drop in holiday spending last year at -8.2%, following three subsequent years of single-digit decline in holiday spending. Wyoming (-3.0%) and New Jersey (-1.9%) also saw a decline in holiday spending last year, though it followed growth in both states the year prior.
• Californians are most likely to shop online. Compared to the rest of the U.S., somebody in California is 29.9% more likely to shop online versus in-store. Washington has the second-highest preference for online shopping at 23.7% more likely, with Massachusetts ranking third in this metric at 20.8% more likely. Meanwhile, Wyoming has the highest preference for online shopping, with residents 38.7% less likely to shop online versus in-store.

SmartAsset

Holiday Shopping Trends by State

States are ranked based on the one-year change in retail spending during the holiday season in 2024 versus 2023.

1. Nebraska

• Annual change in holiday shopping, 2024: 31.70%
• Annual change in holiday shopping, 2023: -14.55%
• Annual change in holiday shopping, 2022: 7.50%
• Annual change in holiday shoppi

jittawit21 // Shutterstock

Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget.

Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in every state using data from Gas Buddy.

Gas prices fluctuate based on several factors, including the cost of the key ingredient, crude oil, as well as the available supply and demand for gasoline. If the price of oil rises, a major refinery goes offline, or more drivers are hitting the road, for example, then the cost will increase.

In the first half of 2022, a unique confluence of events led to a surge in gas prices. The increased demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and a slowdown in oil production all contributed to a national all-time high of $4.93 per gallon on average in June 2022.

Seasons also affect gas prices. Demand tends to drop in winter, but the cost also falls because gas stations switch to a different blend of gasoline that’s optimal for lower temperatures—and has cheaper ingredients.

Location also matters. The South and Midwest tend to have the lowest gas prices, while the West, including Hawai’i, has the highest. Californians, in particular, pay more for gas on average than any other state. That’s because of its high state excise taxes; its isolation from the country’s major pipelines, which causes supply issues; and its requirements that mandate a more environmentally friendly blend of gas that costs more to produce and adds to the price per gallon.

No matter where you live, read on to see if you can get a deal on gas near you.

Alabama
#1. Sam’s Club (1401 Skyland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa): $2.30
#2. Murphy Express (5383 Ushy 90 W, Mobile): $2.31
#2. Walmart (7360 Theodrore Dawes Rd, Theodore): $2.31

Alaska
#1. Airport Gas & Oil (4480 Dale Rd, Fairbanks): $2.88
#2. Turner’s Corner (8238 E Turner Rd, Palmer): $3.29
#3. Tesoro (Mile 59’5 Glenn Hwy, Sutton): $3.35

Arizona
#1. Walmart (2565 E Commerce Center Pl, Tucson): $2.35
#2. Costco (1650 E Tucson Marketplace Blvd, Tucson): $2.37
#3. QuikTrip (2345 E Irvington Rd, Tucson): $2.39

Arkansas
#1. Brookshire’s (1310 Constitution Ave, Ashdown): $2.16
#2. The Hydration Station (3316 Wheeler Ave, Fort Smith): $2.17
#3. AJ’s Pit Stop (15536 I-30, Benton): $2.19

California
#1. Parkway Gas (5510 W Shaw Ave, Fresno): $2.99
#2. Lucky 7 Fuel Mart (13450 US-101 N, Smith River): $3.22
#3. Fastrip (1687 CA-99, Gridley): $3.35

Colorado
#1. QuikTrip (6477 E Evans Ave, Denver): $1.69
#1. Shell (7273 E

ezCater

The workplace holiday party is experiencing a renaissance. After years of muted, virtual, or often skipped celebrations, employees are signaling a resounding return to in-person festivities, with the latest data revealing an 82% attendance rate expected this year.

This sharp spike — a 17% increase from the estimated 70% attendance in 2024 — signals a profound shift in post-pandemic workplace culture, ezCater reports. For companies navigating hybrid work models, the annual holiday party is no longer just a festive tradition but a crucial tool for boosting morale, driving retention, and building the social cohesion essential for a productive team.

A Rise in the Holiday Party Budget for a Season of Connection

The attendance spike is matched by businesses’ willingness to invest. Over half of workplace decision-makers (51%) report they are increasing their company holiday party budgets this year, with overall spending rising by an average of 13%. This investment reflects an understanding that in an era where teams may rarely be in the same room, the holiday party provides indispensable face time.

The real reason for the return is pure festive community. When the invite lands, employees are RSVPing to nurture real-life friendships and enjoy the camaraderie they’ve missed. A substantial 83% of workers confirm that holiday parties help them bond with colleagues and develop friendships.

Hybrid Work: The Ultimate Holiday Party Driver

For teams dispersed across home offices and coworking spaces, the corporate holiday party has become an essential occasion for re-establishing a shared culture.

80% of employees believe holiday parties are as important or more important than ever for team bonding in today’s hybrid/remote work environment. The social stakes are high: 30% of hybrid employees who missed a past holiday party reported experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out). Companies are recognizing that for a hybrid workforce, these celebrations serve as a vital annual reset, allowing colleagues to move beyond transactional communication and build relationships that underpin effective collaboration.

The Business Case for Growing Investment in Holiday Parties

The decision by over half of businesses to boost spending is a clear sign they view the holiday party as a strategic business investment, not just a perk.

In a competitive labor market, fostering a strong sense of community is key to employee retention and morale. These events serve as a high-impact, visible demonstration of a company’s commitment to its workforce. Furthermore, the data suggests that for a significant portion of attendees, the experience is largely positive: 96% of employees report looking forward to workplace holiday celebrations.

However, planning remains challenging. Nine out of 10 planners find the process stressful, with the greatest difficulty being creating a menu that satisfies everyone’s tastes.

The 2025 Holiday Playbook to Making Spirits Bright (and RSVPs High)

Companies can easily capitalize on this surge in interest by focusing on four co

SafeRide Health

Step into one of the four connected homes near the University of Minnesota any evening, and you’ll usually find families eating in the dining room, volunteers serving food, kids playing video games and climbing into the child-sized castle, and parents trying to forget about their troubles for just a few hours in this home away from home.

The Ronald McDonald House on Oak Street in Minneapolis is one of the country’s larger Ronald McDonald Houses, serving families whose children are undergoing medical treatment at the university. The families come from all over the country—and the world—drawn by specialists at the University of Minnesota who are the best in their fields. Some parents and siblings stay at the house cost-free for weeks, and others live there for months and even years while their children and siblings battle cancer or undergo transplants. The house is one of five facilities operated by Ronald McDonald Houses Charities, Upper Midwest (RMHC-UM). Last year, the organization served 5,649 families, saving them about $7.5 million in out-of-pocket expenses for meals, lodging, essential supplies, parking, transportation, and more. Here, SafeRide Health highlights how these services support families whose children are impacted by serious illness.

Courtesy of RMH-UM

As Jill Evenocheck, RMHC-UM president and CEO, explained, “A child’s serious illness is a worst-case scenario for families, often resulting in devastating emotional, financial, and physical consequences. By meeting basic needs and providing holistic, family-centered care, we mitigate the stressors faced by patient families, enabling them to engage more effectively with their child’s care team, support their other children, and attend to their own social, emotional, and financial needs.”

RMH-Oak Street in Minneapolis is particularly well-equipped, with a large commercial-grade kitchen, 48 private rooms or suites, an open gym, movie screening room, exercise room for adults, multiple lounge areas, play spaces, two playgrounds, large dining room, therapy dog (Bernie, a very sweet Bernedoodle), and even a K-12 school with a teacher, assistant teacher, afterschool program, and summer school. One recent day, six kids of all ages studied out of workbooks and learned together while their parents and siblings spent the day at the nearby hospital.

These resources are invaluable to families in need of a home away from home: “We felt significantly less stress while staying there,” a parent noted after their stay. “The meals were convenient, easy, and delicious. In a time when we as parents forget to take care of ourselves while taking care