Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Loving Care For Mom, where we share stories and tips about how to care for your aging mom or dad with love.

Caring for mom or dad can be exhausting and sometimes frustrating. Most of us have never had to take care of someone: Where do we start? What help can we get? How can we afford the best care? How can we provide the best possible care for the mom or dad you love so much?

Here, we will share many tips from two points of view: from the point of view of a day-to-day caregiver, and from the point of view of a legal strategist. Competently navigating care requires both.

We help you understand the many resources available to you as a caregiver and your mom or dad as the one you’re caring for.

This newsletter is packed with tips and tricks to help you navigate and provide the best care for your mom or dad.

Hello friends,

I’ve been thinking a lot about how small conveniences can make a huge difference in a caregiver’s day. So in this issue, I’m sharing something simple that helped me this week—and might help you too. If one little idea gives you back even 20 minutes of calm, that’s a win in my book.

The other day, I needed groceries—nothing fancy, just the usual things that somehow always run out at the same time. But I was tired, running behind, and the thought of getting in the car, wandering the aisles, waiting in line, and hauling everything back home felt… like a lot.

So I opened DoorDash.

I placed a grocery order—about $100 worth of items—and off it went. My shopper messaged me a couple of quick substitutions, checked out, and within an hour, the entire order was sitting on my front porch. All I paid was a $7 tip. Because I have the $99/year DashPass, the delivery itself cost me nothing.

I can’t tell you how much relief I felt in that moment. One whole errand—gone. No rushing. No guilt about not getting it done. No extra stress piled on top of an already full day.

Caregiving is demanding. Even if you’re not physically caring for someone every minute, the mental load is always humming in the background. Your time gets stretched thin, and the “simple things” sometimes feel like the hardest things to get done.

Using a service like DoorDash isn’t lazy—it’s smart.

If someone else can spend the hour walking through the grocery store so you can rest, or focus on your parent, or even just breathe a little, that’s a gift worth taking.

So if you ever find yourself overwhelmed with errands, try letting a delivery service shoulder the load. You deserve the break.

A Final Thought

Caregiving teaches us that it’s not always the big choices that matter—it’s the little ones that make each day easier. Allowing yourself to use a time-saving tool isn’t an indulgence; it’s self-care. And when you take care of yourself, you’re in a better place to care for the people who depend on you.

Here’s to giving ourselves grace, and accepting help in whatever form it arrives… even if it comes in a grocery bag on the front porch.

Warmly,

Todd

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J. Todd Murphy, Esq. (“Todd”)

Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney, Morristown, NJ.

Helping families plan ahead and navigate life’s transitions with confidence for over 30 years.

Always Seek Professional Advice

We’re glad you’re here! Please note that the information in this newsletter is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this newsletter does not create an attorney-client relationship with J. Todd Murphy, Esq., or Dublin Packard Attorneys. Many of the topics, tips, and strategies discussed can be complex, and you should seek the guidance of a qualified Elder Law attorney—such as J. Todd Murphy—before taking action.

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