Once you realize there is a problem the first thing is not to PANIC! Your relationship with your parents is about to change in a significant way. The approach must be adult-to-adult, not adult (you) to a child (them). I suggest a face-to-face meeting, with siblings if possible (you should let them know ahead of time your concerns), to face up to the problems. I put it in terms of paying my parents back for all their years of support as I grew up.

Ask to help simplify their financial activities, suggest you work together to make life easier for them. I'm not talking about giving them money, but your time. I've found that over the years parents make investments, buy insurance, open accounts, squirrel away valuables in safety deposit boxes, or lose track of important papers in old desks. They simply forget they did it. So, is your memory so great!?! CRS strikes us all at times.

Offer to help to update their financial records. You don't have to be an accountant, just another pair of eyes and hands. If there are grandchildren, remind them they need to plan ahead if they want to leave them an inheritance. But, you need to know what you've got first. Don't yell, try to be calm. I know that's not easy for some families with past conflicts that cloud relationships.

If they agree (not always a foregone conclusion), set up a regular schedule of visits to start the search process. If they do not agree at least you've planted the seed in their minds of the concern. They may come around after they've had time to think it over. Moms are usually the ones to convince Dad. But, don't harp on it or they'll get stubborn and harden to any help.