Elderly Aunt living in another state phones almost every day and tells offensive and racist jokes. I don't want to hear it anymore. Advice?

Racists are NOT "nice people. This is one behavior that no one needs to (or should) tolerate. A large part of the problems our society is having stem from so many people's refusal to just call out racism as the evil it is. Frankly, she would benefit from "having her feelings hurt". Might help her to do some thinking about morally decent attitudes.

"She is a nice person,..."

A NICE person does not call people repeatably telling off colour jokes.

Stop her in her tracks. "Auntie, it appears you have different beliefs than I do. I have no interest at all in hearing jokes that are racist or of a sexual nature. I will hang up if you repeat these sorts of jokes.

What do you have to lose by stopping her?

Tell her that you don't want to hear racist, sexist, Islamophobic or homophobia jokes. When she starts telling such a joke, say "Aunt, sounds like a racist joke." I prefer not to hear it. Bye."

Hang up and Walk away immediately. Do this every single time no matter who is present.

You can't control her. But you have absolutely control over what you listen to,

Maybe she has dementia. Or maybe she thinks you find her jokes as funny as she does since you keep listening to them. Silence is as good as agreement in this case. You don't have to be confrontational with the woman, you just have to let her know that you don't agree with her humor or find racial or ethnic (or whatever) type jokes to be funny, and to please stop sharing them with you. Let her know there are plenty of other topics of conversation you CAN have, however, just not the jokes. See how she takes it. Some folks honestly don't realize they're being offensive until they're told. Give her the benefit of the doubt.

Just don't answer the phone?

I'll never understand why people think a ringing phone must be answered, especially since caller id has been a thing for decades.

My sons used to play with a neighbor child who used bad language. Every time he used a bad word I would tell him in a friendly way that those words were not allowed in my house and he would have to go home for the day. If he wanted, he could come back tomorrow.
After a couple of months, he stopped using bad words at my house, although I sometimes heard them floating over the fence.
If your aunt is capable of learning and remembering, simply tell her, politely, that you don't like those jokes and you will end the call every time she tells one. Then when she tells you an offensive joke, tell her that you don't like the joke and are hanging up now, but she is welcome to call back tomorrow, or next week, or whatever you feel is an appropriate time between calls.
If she gets angry, she can find another communication partner.

I would just tell her, "Aunt Mary, it's always good to hear from you but I would rather hear about YOU. No jokes. And start a conversation
How's the weather. Really hot, rainy here.
I made Grandma's meatloaf the other night. Did you ever make it?
What's your favorite recipe?
My grandson plays first base on his team
And so on.
Your Aunt may just want to talk to someone and doesn't know what else to say, rather than tell jokes.
Hope this helps.

In addition to my previous comment to tell her that the “jokes” offend you I have to add this...
I have a lot of jokes and on occasion I will post some here but I try to be very careful as times have changed and people have changed. What might have been “thought” to be funny in the past really isn’t. So she may think the jokes are funny, and to some they might be. But if you find them offensive you are well within boundaries to tell her so and stop the conversation if she continues. Much like you would stop communicating with a Bully, this is the same. She is assaulting you with words.

She's probably, ironically, trying to impress you with her unconventional and racy style. I'd send her a book of jokes that actually *are* funny and hope she enjoys the new material.

You might also be able to break up her calling pattern by taking the initiative and ringing her for a good old chinwag, regularly and at a time that suits you, like every Sunday afternoon or something. Have interesting topics of conversation handy and talk to her as you would to any other lively-minded person you didn't (yet, God willing) know very well.

It is *fine* to tell her if you find something she says offensive. You don't have to be mean back at her or anything, just be truthful. She's a grown-up, she can take it.

With all the judgemental answers here you must be feeling terrible. Your aunt may not have a clue that her jokes are racist for two very good reasons: She grew up hearing them at a time when no one was sensitive to them so she thinks they are fine. Secondly, she may be slipping mentally and that part of the brain that over rides more "base" thoughts and words may not be functioning as well so even if she knows her jokes are offensive she may no longer have the capacity to stop herself from being offensive. I have worked with a number of elders who never swore in their younger lives who now swear up a storm and they seem obsessed with sex. Their younger selves would be embarrassed and appalled.

All you can do is listen with love and encourage a change of subject. You can gently tell her those jokes are no longer acceptable, but do not be surprised if she doesn't stop. These are thoughts are deeply planted in her memories. Then try to remember that whatever you think is funny today in 50 years will be abhorrent to your grandchildren.

She is lonely and wants to stay connected to the world. Are there Senior Services in the community where she lives? Can you contact them and ask if they have activities she could join? Do they have a support service that can pair her with other lonely seniors? This COVID year has been horrible for everyone but especially for seniors living alone.

And, please, do not rail at her for her jokes. Do not judge her as some people responding have suggested. It will only confuse her and cause pain for something she does not understand. You can limit how many times you talk to her by not answering if she calls too frequently. But think about how you would like to be treated in your senior years by those in your life and go from there.

Best to you and to your aunt.