Melissa O'Connor PA

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a time to honor the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. May their bravery never be forgotten, and may we live in a way that reflects the value of the freedom they fought to protect.

Holding space for gratitude and remembrance today. ❤️

05/22/2026

Estate planning is not one-size-fits-all—especially for unmarried couples and blended families.

If you live with someone you’re not married to, have children from a prior relationship, or are part of a blended family, having a proper plan in place can make a major difference later on. Without clear legal documents, state law may not reflect your wishes for your partner, your children, or your assets.

Watch here:

Estate planning can become especially important when you are living with a partner you are not married to, have children from prior relationships, or are par...

05/22/2026

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak with the congregation at Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church on “Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances” in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association.

We discussed the financial realities many caregivers face and the importance of planning, organization, and having the right legal and financial conversations early. Grateful for the chance to share resources, connect with families, and be part of a community that continues to support caregivers through every stage of the journey.

05/21/2026

Naming a healthcare surrogate is important—but making sure they actually have a copy of the document is just as critical. In an emergency, quick access matters.

05/15/2026

Mental health matters at every age.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on the emotional well-being of older adults and the caregivers who support them every day.

Many struggles in aging and caregiving happen quietly. Stress, isolation, grief, and burnout are more common than people realize.

Checking in on someone, offering support, or simply listening can go a long way.

05/05/2026

Part 2 of our Reddit AMA with A Place for Mom focused on some of the more complex and emotional realities families face in long-term care planning.

These conversations are never easy, but they are incredibly important. Many families are dealing with these situations quietly and don’t realize how common they really are.

Thank you again to A Place for Mom for helping bring these discussions into the open.

You can read the full AMA, including all questions and responses, here:�https://www.reddit.com/user/APlaceforMomOfficial/

05/01/2026

Just because a Medicaid annuity exists doesn’t mean it’s the right strategy for every family. Proper planning depends on the full picture.

05/01/2026

Last April 15, I was invited by A Place for Mom to do a live Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) focused on senior care planning.

Across the session, we received a wide range of thoughtful questions from families navigating real challenges—everything from care costs and Medicaid planning to dementia care, caregiving strain, and how to make decisions when circumstances feel overwhelming. These slides reflect the most common questions and the answers we discussed during the live event.

We’re grateful to A Place for Mom for the opportunity to engage directly with families and help bring clarity to the legal and financial questions that often surround aging and long-term care.

You can view the full AMA, including all questions and responses, here:�https://www.reddit.com/user/APlaceforMomOfficial/

04/28/2026

We’re growing our network of on-call witnesses and notaries to assist with legal signings on an as-needed basis.

If you’re reliable, detail-oriented, and looking for a flexible way to support families through important legal moments, we’d love to hear from you.

Please refer to the image for application instructions, and feel free to share this opportunity with someone who might be a great fit.

04/13/2026

We’re honored to be featured on A Place for Mom's YouTube channel, where I sat down to discuss the legal obstacles families often face when helping a loved one navigate senior care.

In this conversation, we break down four common missteps—including delaying planning, not having key legal documents in place, misunderstanding Medicaid, and waiting too long to protect assets.

🎥 Watch the full conversation:�https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_mKu0UTQR4

If these questions are on your mind, we’re continuing the conversation LIVE.

Join us for a Live Reddit Q&A on April 15 at 3 PM ET, where I’ll be answering your questions in real time alongside A Place for Mom.

�🔗 https://www.reddit.com/user/APlaceforMomOfficial/

In this video, A Place for Mom's Alicia Jenkins speaks with estate planning and elder law attorney Melissa O'Connor about legal obstacles families often enco...