National Seniors Day takes place on October 1 in Canada. The official Government of Canada page highlights the contributions older people make to families, communities and society. The same page also notes that this date is the International Day of Older Persons, established by the United Nations.
Recognize current interests and choices
An older person may want to talk about work, studies, friendships, travel or plans they are still making. Do not limit the visit to distant memories, and do not treat every experience as a lesson for younger people.
Ask how they would like to take part and which words they prefer to describe themselves. Not every older person has grandchildren; not every grandparent identifies as a senior. Family ties are one possible part of the story, among many others.
Listen closely to one scene
A good start is to ask about something the person chose to learn or a decision they remember clearly. Ask for details without testing their memory. If names or dates are uncertain, note the doubt and check later, if there is interest.
The guide on how to interview an older relative helps plan the time and setting. Agree on the language of the conversation: French, English or another family language can carry nuances worth keeping in the account.
Give them back control of their story
Before recording, explain the purpose and who will have access. Afterwards, offer a simple way to review: listen to the excerpt, read the text or hear it read aloud. The person can correct, remove or keep parts private.
See also the questions about career and work, which make room for experiences beyond family roles. A conversation does not need to produce a document to be valuable. When there is a recording, it should present the person the way they want to be known, with no promise of medical benefit or improved memory.