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Love the advice of suggesting Auntie find another shopper! You can always "forget" to turn the phone ringer on. I know I have to do that sometimes, as I am not one of those who can ignore a ringing phone.
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You can comfort yourself that not only are you getting your aunt's groceries for her, which is Good Deed 1, but also you are giving her a really juicy bone to pick which clearly is giving her some kind of satisfaction: Good Deed 2. Some people enjoy complaining, no matter how counterproductive it is.

Of course, you could also say to her that if she knows of a better personal shopper she is welcome to use that person for her grocery services; but something tells me you are too kind for that. Do at some point get round to reminding her, though, that being constantly distracted by phone calls and put under pressure to hurry is not conducive to efficient marketing. I.e., if she would only back off a bit you might be able to do a better job. But I wouldn't put any money on her actually paying attention to this fairly obvious point.

Shoulder rubs to you. This caregiving business does try the patience.
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Gospelgirl, when I'm helping someone out of the goodness of my heart, and they complain, I always offer to let them do it themselves. Including the time I was taking a friend for a post-surgical appointment and she complained I was driving too slow. (In a strange car (hers) in a strange city (also hers), I wasn't about to make any daring moves, even if other drivers were getting impatient with my caution). I offered to pull over and let her drive the car, even with her recently operated shoulder surgery. She declined, not surprisingly.

I was always taught that beggars can't afford to be choosers, and that applies to the needy elders as well. I don't think you would be out of line to tell your Aunt: "If you're not satisfied with my grocery shopping, I won't mind if you get someone else to do it."
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Local markets are great ideas to help support the community. Transit and delivery times are less; the delivery cost might even be significantly less than a taxi fare, plus there wouldn't be the time spent and you could spend it visiting your aunt instead.

There's also the possibility of Meals on Wheels. There are a variety of dishes; obviously not everyone is going to like some of the meals, but at $3 per meal in our area, it's cheaper than taxi fare and a comparable amount of groceries. In addition, there's the obvious value of companionship as the volunteers are friendly people, like seniors, and seem to provide a treat for homebound elders.

This would significantly lessen your grocery shopping obligations.
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Schwan's is a specialty retailer that also delivers. My sister used to order from them; their food was good but it's not quite the same as getting fresh produce if that's on your list. I don't know whether there were any delivery fees involved.

Instead of an expensive taxi, check to see if there are any senior transport services in the area. Some transit companies offer door to door service for much less than a taxi.

Like many elders, your aunt probably doesn't remember everything she needs or wants or make lists. It happens. Just tell her sweetly that it's an opportunity to come back again and help her out. Perhaps she just wants attention - that's not unusual for an older person.

The longer term concept is twofold:

(1) Keep your shopping lists, create a database in Excel of what she buys and the frequency. Add it to a checklist and ask her when you create your lists for that week if she needs any of those items.

(2) Check her frig, cupboards and wherever else she stores food to see if anything's low, then be proactive and confirm with her that she needs it, then add it to the list.
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Gospelgirl, I remember you. The people on this site were wrong if they made you feel you were looking for sympathy. I would use a small local market for deliveries. Had the food mostly prepared, so it would make things easier. Glad you're back!!!
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Gospelgirl, I agree that the online grocery shopping is a great idea. However, is that yield spent shopping also your "respite" from Auntie? If you decide to do online shopping, please make sure you get out once in a while for a scheduled break. Tell Auntie how long you'll be gone for AND DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE!
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I feel your pain! I live 15 miles from the nearest grocery. When I was still caring for my father in his home, he would ONLY shop at a certain store 35 miles away. We would make a list. If I snuck something in his cart that I thought he really needed (like cleaning supplies) he would throw a FIT. If the grocery totalled more than $40 he would throw a FIT. Then, the next day, he would insist that we drive the 35 miles again because he forgot oranges. argh

Sounds like you got great advice and the online grocer thing is a good idea. I also think that Kroger based grocers also offer this service.
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I go through something similar, but it isn't until I get back home that my mother will say anything. Quite often I'll have to go back to the store to get something she needs. Fortunately, she understands when a brand she wants isn't available. I'll tell her I'll pick it up the next time I see it and all is well. I try not to react to her when it comes to groceries. She doesn't want to go with me and has a hard time when she does, so I just do the best I can. We haven't starved yet, so I guess I've done okay. Maybe you can tell your aunt the same thing if it won't make her angry.
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Gospelgirl, good news, I saw on your profile where you live and the on-line grocery service Peapod services the Giant grocery stores in your area. Home delivery is around $10 but I bet that is cheaper than using a taxi. Check it out :)
You need to order $60 worth of groceries each time.... if that's too much, then you can order once every two weeks. The home delivery will bring in the groceries into the house.
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Gospelgirl, I know what you are going through. What I did over a year ago was start using an on-line grocery service where I order on-line and I can either pick-up the already packed items or the groceries can be delivered to my parents house. I think it works great :) Is Aunty computer savy or she could look over your shoulder while you place the order.

Of course my Mom will grumble if I order something that has new packaging... "that's not the item I wanted".... "yes it is, same stuff, new packaging".... "the product code is different" [Mom knows her scanner product codes].... "yes, new packaging, new product code". Then later in the week I will hear "it tasted funny".... [rolling eyes].

The other day my Dad mentioned that Mom [97] and I [69]should go back to how we use to shop, me driving Mom to the store and we shop together. EKKKKKKK. That's not happening. That ship sailed a year ago.

Plus I am grounded do to my own age decline where I fell and got injured. Can't drive or shop with a broken shoulder :P But I can use a computer !!
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