Lasting Legacies: Capturing Your Aging Loved One’s Life Story

We all have a story. Some of us are great at telling ours, while others leave bits and pieces behind. For families, those untold stories are often the most treasured, especially as time passes. At Assistance Home Care, we understand how important it is to preserve those memories. That’s why we created Lasting Legacies, a free program designed to help families capture and share their loved one’s unique journey.

A Personal Story That Sparked a Legacy

The idea for Lasting Legacies came from a deeply personal experience that Allen and Sally Serfas, the founders of Assistance Home Care, went through with Sally’s mom. As her mother’s Alzheimer’s progressed, Sally noticed something heartbreaking: her mom’s memories—and with them, her ability to share the beautiful stories of her life—began to fade. It became clear to Sally and Allen that these stories, which had once filled their family with joy, were at risk of being lost forever.

Lasting Legacies was created as a way to preserve those priceless moments as a gift for the families who entrusted Assistance Home Care to provide care for their loved ones at home. They realized that each person’s story is a treasure, and they didn’t want anyone to feel that their loved one’s legacy would go untold.

What is the Lasting Legacies program?

At its heart, Lasting Legacies is a keepsake video—a personalized, professionally edited video that captures the life story of your loved one. This isn’t just about documenting facts and dates. It’s about capturing the heart of who they are, what made them unique, and the moments that shaped their life.

When you’re set up for Lasting Legacies, our program manager will meet with you once for a few hours. During this relaxed, guided conversation, we’ll help draw out those meaningful memories and stories that often get lost over time. Whether it’s through spoken stories, family photos, or personal milestones, we’ll work with you to weave a narrative that truly honors your loved one.

Once the video is complete, it’s professionally edited and shared with you as an online, streamable keepsake. The final product is approximately 60 minutes long and includes meaningful music and pictures you provide, helping to bring your loved one’s legacy to life.

Sample Lasting Legacies Video: Meet Millie

Millie graciously granted permission to share a highlight sample video of her Lasting Legacy with our community to help others understand more about the program and what to expect in the process!

 Frequently Asked Questions

You might be wondering, “How does this work?” Here are some of the most common questions we receive:

• How often do we meet?
  We’ll meet with you once for a few hours. We keep the process simple and relaxed, allowing us to naturally capture those precious stories and memories without overwhelming anyone.
• What’s included in the keepsake video?
  Your loved one’s special stories, milestones, meaningful music, and the photos you share with us will all be included. We aim to tell a beautiful, well-rounded story that reflects their life.
• How is the video shared?
  Once the video is completed, it will be professionally edited and delivered to you as an online, streamable video. This makes it easy for family members to watch and share.
• What if my loved one can’t communicate anymore?
  Even if your loved one has difficulty communicating, we can still create a beautiful keepsake video using family pictures, slides, and important details about their life. The essence of their story will live on through the voices of those who love them.

Meet Jessica Sunnenberg: Your Guide Through the Process

Jessica Sunnenberg, BSW, MSG, is our dedicated Lasting Legacies Manager. She’s the heart behind this program and the person who will help guide you through the process of capturing your loved one’s memories. Jessica has a deep passion for recognizing the unique journey each person has, and she brings her experience in social work and gerontology to ensure every story is honored.

Her passion for this program stems from her years working in long-term care, where she witnessed how diseases like Alzheimer’s can steal away precious memories. Jessica is dedicated to making sure that doesn’t happen. She knows that family stories are the foundation of who we are, and she takes it as her personal mission to help families preserve them.

Why Choose Lasting Legacies?

Preserving family memories doesn’t just help keep the past alive—it connects generations. It’s a gift that can be shared with future family members who may never have met their loved one but can still feel close to them through the stories that are passed down. In times of grief or even in moments of joy, these videos provide a lasting connection, reminding us of the incredible people who came before us.

The Lasting Legacies program is available to all families receiving our services at no charge, because we believe every story deserves to be heard.

Get Started Today

If you’d like to learn more about Lasting Legacies or are interested in creating a keepsake video for your family, visit our Lasting Legacies Program Page and submit an inquiry form. You can also reach out directly to Jessica Sunnenberg at jsunnenberg@assistancehc.com with any questions.

Let us help you create a legacy that lasts, because every story is worth telling.