Tellegacy

THE TELLEGACY PROGRAM

Discover the potential of a conversation.

Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation can result in long-term negative health outcomes. The intergenerational Tellegacy program helps keep older adults connected.

Watch: What is Tellegacy?

THE TELLEGACY PROGRAM

Discover the potential of a conversation.

Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation can result in long-term negative health outcomes. The inter-generational Tellegacy program helps keep older adults connected.

Watch: What is Tellegacy?

Legacy Builders

Our University students, known as Legacy Builders, connect with older adults living in-home, or in retirement communities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities via in-person, phone or through virtual visits. The discussions focus on building rapport and providing a sense of hope, while also allowing the older adult to impart wisdom and share stories of their past with the students. A digital or physical legacy book is provided back to the older adult at the end of the sessions.

Benefits for Student Legacy Builder

Benefits for
Student Legacy Builder

Complete required service/clinical hours
Enhance connecting and listening skills
Receive training in vision/goal-setting, mindfulness, growth mindset, and legacy interviewing
Learn new perspectives from an older generation
Participate in a mentorship program
Help improve someone’s quality of life and health status

Become a Legacy Builder

Benefits for Older Adults

Benefits for
Older Adults

Enjoy weekly connections with a University student
Share experiences and wisdom with a younger generation
Receive a well-prepared legacy book of your story to share with family and friends
Positively impacts the lives of younger generations
Set and accomplish personal goals
Improve the quality of life and health status

Older Adult Sign-up

What our students are saying on “Becoming a Legacy Builder”…

The art of listening to others…

His encouraging words and spirituality inspire me to live life more confidently. It’s important to listen to others. That’s how you truly connect with them and leave a more meaningful life.”

Aylia

Legacy Builder

I gained so much knowledge and a friend…

My resident impacted my life for the better. Talking to her always put a smile on my face and I’m so happy our paths in life crossed. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to volunteer in this outstanding program and I feel like I gained so much knowledge and a friend.”

Alexis

Legacy Builder

Very educational…

Overall this program was very educational. I had the opportunity to talk to someone that is in a different generation than me and learned things that I had not heard before, which is an experience I wouldn’t have gotten without Tellegacy.”

Sarah

Legacy Builder

I am forever grateful…

I just want my resident to know how much I appreciated our time together. I can’t thank him enough for talking to me and welcoming me into his life. I sincerely appreciate all the time he shared with me as well as all the life lessons he taught me. I’m forever grateful.”

Jacob

Legacy Builder

Making a Difference…

I am making a difference in someone’s life by speaking and listening to an older adult once a week. The resident expressed how happy he is that he is talking to me. He appreciates my kindness and listening skills. It made me so happy to hear him be happy. Little things can make a big difference in someone else’s life.”

Jagoda

Legacy Builder

Cherish Childhood memories…

Listening to him speak so fondly of the memories as a child makes me want to enjoy and cherish my own youth. I want to take time off of the internet and technology to just enjoy the natural world around me.”

Abirami

Legacy Builder

More than an assignment…

When I first started this program, I just thought of it as an assignment to talk with someone. I had no idea the impact it would have on my life long term. After talking to my resident, I realized how much bigger this mission is. I feel like we both needed something from each other, and it quickly became so much more than an assignment.”

Olivia

Legacy Builder

Meeting the needs of isolated seniors…

Being a part of my resident’s life during this period of isolation is very crucial. I could sense that isolation was getting to her. I can hear that she needs someone to talk to and listen to her. It’s meaningful because it’s not about me, but about her.”

Jacelyn

Legacy Builder

Why Tellegacy was started?

After finding out from a community Chaplain friend that older adults in retirement communities were passing away, not from COVID-19, but from a broken heart due to isolation from family and friends, Jeremy Holloway, PhD, decided to create a flexible, relationship-oriented mindfulness, goal setting and guided imagery curriculum that can be facilitated by University students via phone or virtually one-on-one with older adults in retirement communities. Jeremy got connected with Hayley Studer and achi and together they built the infrastructure for this program. Not only can the Tellegacy program make meaningful intergenerational connections, we think it can save lives.

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Dr. Jeremy Holloway

Dr. Jeremy Holloway is a previous Geriatric Education Professor and current Professor focused on Health Equity, Resiliency, and Social Connection. The focus of his research is concentrated on the social determinants of health, specifically self-efficacy, connectedness, and resiliency of older adults. Dr. Holloway developed a curriculum focused on intergenerational programs that include growth mindset, reminiscence therapy, mindfulness, guided imagery/visualization, and S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting practices to nourish internal qualities, resiliency and self-agency of older adults. These best practices address needs related to loneliness and isolation. Dr. Holloway is also an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion of all peoples. He currently lives in Fargo, North Dakota, with his lovely wife and 4 children.

Meet The Team