Tellegacy Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Unparalleled Program Engages 200+ University Students to Serve Older Adults

What started from a conversation about the effect of the pandemic and social isolation on the older adult population has now grown into an intergenerational program that helps keep older adults connected and engaged with university students. The Tellegacy program is celebrating one year of connections, meaningful relationships, and the reinforcing belief that everyone’s story deserves to be told.

Dr. Jeremy Holloway pictured with Tellegacy interns and Legacy Builders at the anniversary celebration

The Tellegacy program began recruiting students in July of 2020 and launched its services to older adults in October of 2020. Since then the program has increased the number of residents served sixfold, added 6.5x more students to its volunteer base, and the program has been utilized at 9x more facilities nationwide.

The one of a kind curriculum designed by Dr. Jeremy Holloway is what truly makes this program unique. It ties together four main components for this structured, evidenced-based program, including the Reminiscence Therapy Foundations Approach, Mindfulness Approach, Goal-Setting and Visualization, and Growth Mindset.

Tellegacy Founder, Dr. Jeremy Holloway

“It’s been an exciting and blessed journey watching this program grow over the past year. As a curriculum specialist my goal was to create something that went beyond a friendly calling program,” said Dr. Jeremy Holloway, Founder of Tellegacy. “I wanted this program to forge intergenerational connections and bonds that reinforced the stories that make up a person’s legacy. We all have a story to share. A story that may give others hope, guidance, or an opportunity to change the trajectory of their life for the better.”

With nearly 200 older adults served in over 30 facilities across the United States, the program has gained momentum with each interaction. While the program stands to primarily provide a sense of hope for the older adults followed by giving university students a valuable experience, it also uplifts the spirits of the staff working tirelessly in senior living communities.

From left to right: Hayley Studer, Dr. Jeremy Holloway, and Hunter Reeder

“This program is designed to ensure the benefits are three-fold,” shared Hayley Studer, Founder and CEO of achi. “The older adults gain companionship and a sense of hope. The university students, many of which are entering the healthcare sector, are getting real experience in working with the older adult population they will be serving after graduation. The caregivers and/or facility staff are getting the opportunity to learn more about their patients allowing for deeper conversations and connections which leads to better overall job satisfaction and customer experience. These elements are all interconnected and mesh to create an ideal environment for individual growth and positive community impact.”

If you are interested in learning more about Tellegacy and what it can do for your community, please contact Dr. Jeremy Holloway at 419-270-7511 today.

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About Tellegacy

Tellegacy is an intergenerational program created to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults, keeping them connected and engaged through weekly phone or virtual visits with university students. As research shows, loneliness and social isolation can result in long-term negative health outcomes. Tellegacy founder Jeremy Holloway, PhD is determined to change that narrative with his flexible, relationship-oriented, mindfulness, goal-setting and guided imagery curriculum. In partnership with Hayley Studer, CPA, FHFMA, and founder of achi, a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health, the infrastructure for Tellegacy was built. To learn more about the Tellegacy program and how it can save lives, visit www.achi.solutions/tellegacy.

About achi

achi is a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achi.solutions.

Virtual to Reality: Pandemic-Born Program Forges Lasting Intergenerational Friendship

What started as a virtual weekly connection through the intergenerational Tellegacy program blossomed into a true friendship for legacy builder Megha Girn and her resident, along with his family.

Megha had a unique Tellegacy experience, meeting with both her resident, Dick, and his wife, Sue. This allowed her to gain deeper insight to Dick’s story while adding another level of legacy sharing to their conversations.

“I enjoyed learning from Dick and Sue. They both have truly inspired and motivated me. I realized how I want to reflect on my life as I age and what I would want from the people around me. Dick and Sue both have a positive outlook on life, love and support each other unconditionally, and are always seeking to learn.”

With pandemic restrictions lifted in many states, Megha and her sister, Maya, had the opportunity to meet Dick’s family in person.

Pictured left to right: Megha Girn, Sue, and Maya Girn

“I met my resident's wife, Sue, along with her sister and brother-in-law, and Sue's daughter Lynda. We went to The Heights in downtown Toledo and got to know each other better. We talked about my resident, their life and background, and they learned more about me,” shared Megha. “Sue gifted Maya and I prayer shawls that she crocheted and we gifted her and Dick The University of Toledo shirts and baked them a dessert we discussed in our sessions. It was a really great experience, and I enjoyed their company. It was a small world that her daughter lives right in Maumee, so it was perfect that she was coming to visit, and we were able to meet each other. I look forward to keeping in touch and continuing to learn from Dick and Sue.”

Their visit is a prime example of the lasting, intergenerational relationships that are forged through Tellegacy. As the program approaches it’s one year anniversary, this full-circle moment shines a light on the true purpose of the program - connecting university students with older adults to engage in meaningful conversations that create life-changing relationships.

“With the program being virtually based, it allows people to connect from anywhere. The conversations are real, the relationships formed are impactful, and to hear Megha’s story about meeting her resident’s family in person shows the true, lasting bond that this program initiates...it’s surpassed anything I could’ve imagined. It’s why we do what we do”, said Dr. Jeremy Holloway, founder of Tellegacy.

The Tellegacy program began recruiting students in July of 2020 and launched its services to residents in October of 2020. Since then the program has increased the number of residents served sixfold, added 6.5x more students to its volunteer base, and the program has been utilized at 9x more facilities nationwide.

If you are interested in learning more about Tellegacy and what it can do for your community, please contact Dr. Jeremy Holloway at 419-270-7511 today.

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About Tellegacy

Tellegacy is an intergenerational program created to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults, keeping them connected and engaged through weekly phone or virtual visits with university students. As research shows, loneliness and social isolation can result in long-term negative health outcomes. Tellegacy founder Jeremy Holloway, PhD is determined to change that narrative with his flexible, relationship-oriented, mindfulness, goal-setting and guided imagery curriculum. In partnership with Hayley Studer, CPA, FHFMA, and founder of achi, a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health, the infrastructure for Tellegacy was built. To learn more about the Tellegacy program and how it can save lives, visit www.achi.solutions/tellegacy.

About achi

achi is a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achi.solutions.

Meet the Tellegacy Interns!

The Tellegacy program has been blessed with several outstanding student volunteers, and we are so thrilled to introduce our first program interns!

Lucy Batchelar

Major: Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University - Sudbury, Ontario via distance learning

Dream job after graduation: This is a tough one - I really enjoy what I currently do now for work. I work on an outreach team with our regional health authority working with high risk adults who have a combination of housing needs, mental health disorders, substance use dependency, involvement with the criminal justice system and are generally just needing support with their day to day lives. But perhaps, as I continue in my studies, I will find another area of interest and my dream job will change.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to complete my 3rd year practicum requirements but I chose this program as I would be gaining valuable experience working with a population (Eldery Adults) that I have not yet had the chance to work with. I really liked why the program was started and what they are trying to accomplish.

Fun fact: I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE being outdoors. When I am not working or studying, you can find me outside - camping, hiking, biking, exploring the backroads on our side by side, or snowboarding - with my family. Now that I am a mum I enjoy it even more! Getting to see our daughter explore and experience all the outdoor activities makes me so grateful for where we live!

Maya Girn

Major: I am a third-year bioengineering student at the University of Toledo.

Dream job after graduation: Ultimately, my dream job would be to serve in a health field that allows me to work with the elderly or individuals that do not have easy access to healthcare.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy because for the last three years I had worked as a server in the dining hall of a nursing home. Beyond my serving duties, I interacted with the residents on a personal level, learning about their youth and family. In the summer of 2020, I firsthand experienced the loneliness the residents felt due to the COVID restrictions in place as many could not see their family or interact with their friends. Thus, when I heard about Tellegacy I was eager to help make a difference. I look forward to working with the Tellegacy team and appreciate this opportunity.

Fun fact: A fun fact about me is that my favorite sports team is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Megha Girn

Major: I am going into my third year studying Bioengineering at The University of Toledo.

Dream job after graduation: I do not have a specific dream job yet after graduation, but I aim to be working in the health profession where I am helping others, am happy, being challenged, and continuously improving personally and professionally.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to participate in Tellegacy because I have worked and volunteered at a nursing home since I was 16. This experience did not seem like a job as I truly enjoyed what I was doing. I loved spending time and learning from the residents. During lockdown, I would write positive messages for all of the residents, and I experienced firsthand how lonely the residents were when I returned back to work. When I heard about Tellegacy, when I returned back to school in the Fall, I was eager to join and help others beyond my local community. Overall, I am thrilled about this opportunity and am looking forward to all that we will accomplish.

Fun fact: One fun fact about me is that I enjoy cooking and love eating food from different cultures.

Esha Kashaboina

Major: I am a biology major at The University of Toledo.

Dream job after graduation: I aspire to be a future physician.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy to support my community during COVID, especially the isolated older adults who are experiencing loneliness. I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with the older generation, learn important lessons, and hear the advice they have for experiencing life. I hope through this internship I can further my impact and continue to support the residents.

Fun fact: I drove a snowmobile for the first time this year!

Eshita Kashaboina

Major: I am a biology major at The University of Toledo.

Dream job after graduation: I want to become a physician who specializes in nephrology.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy because during the pandemic, forming connections has been difficult as many facilities were unable to allow families to visit and spend time with their loved ones. I wanted to support elderly individuals by listening to their stories and hearing about the impact they have made in their lives.

Fun fact: I have never broken any bones!

Mackenzie Kimes

Major: My major is psychology at the University of Akron.

Dream job after graduation: My dream job is to be a geriatric counselor.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to participate in Tellegacy because I wanted to improve the lives of older adults who may be experiencing social isolation and loneliness. I love working with older adults and thought it would be a great experience to assist in any way I can!

Fun fact: One fun fact about me is that I play the French horn!

Owais Sayeed

Major: Neuroscience at University of Texas at Dallas.

Dream job after graduation: Working in a field where I can be of service to others and making smiles through everything I do.

Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I am passionate about spending time with others and learning from the stories of our elders.

Fun fact: I swam in a lake full of venomous snakes.

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About Tellegacy

Tellegacy is an intergenerational program created to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults, keeping them connected and engaged through weekly phone or virtual visits with university students. As research shows, loneliness and social isolation can result in long-term negative health outcomes. Tellegacy founder Jeremy Holloway, PhD is determined to change that narrative with his flexible, relationship-oriented, mindfulness, goal-setting and guided imagery curriculum. In partnership with Hayley Studer, CPA, FHFMA, and founder of achi, a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health, the infrastructure for Tellegacy was built. To learn more about the Tellegacy program and how it can save lives, visit www.achi.solutions/tellegacy.

About achi

achi is a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achi.solutions.