What to Do When Your Parents Are Getting Older (That You’ll Be Glad You Did)

At some point, it hits you.

Not all at once. Not dramatically.

You notice your dad tells the same story twice.
Your mom can’t remember the name of a restaurant she used to love.
Someone says, “We should really record this sometime.”

And then… life keeps moving.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth most people don’t like to admit:
We assume there will be more time because thinking otherwise feels dark.

I work with families who are trying to get ahead of that moment. And I also talk to families who wish they had.

So if your parents are getting older, here are a few things that actually matter. Not the obvious stuff. The meaningful stuff.

1. Start capturing stories now, not later

You don’t need a diagnosis or a milestone birthday to start. In fact, waiting for “the right time” is usually how it never happens.

Stories fade quietly. Details slip. Voices change.

Recording stories early means you get the laughter, the side comments, the parts people forget to mention when things feel serious.

2. Don’t rely on photos alone

Photos are great. I love photos.

But photos don’t tell you how your parents felt. They don’t explain why a move was so hard, or how they met, or what they were scared of when you were little.

Stories give context. Video gives presence.

3. Ask questions before you think you need to

Most families wait until something happens. An illness. A scare. A loss.

The irony is that the best stories usually come out when no one feels rushed.

“What was your childhood really like?”
“What do you remember about your parents?”
“What were you most proud of in your life?”

These aren’t end-of-life questions. They’re life questions.

4. Make it easy on everyone

If the process feels complicated, it won’t happen.

That’s why families hire someone like me. Not because they can’t record video themselves, but because they want it done well, comfortably, and without turning it into a project that never gets finished.

Final thought

Most people don’t regret the things they captured.
They regret the stories they assumed would always be there.

If this is something you’ve been thinking about and haven’t acted on yet, that’s your sign. You don’t need urgency. You just need intention.