Social Care Curriculum: Lessons Learned From a Community‐Based Program to Address Intergenerational Needs of Older Adults

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults have emerged as major public health concerns, highlighting the need for innovative community‐based interventions that promote meaningful social engagement. This study evaluated the Tellegacy program, an intergenerational initiative designed to provide experiential learning in communication and community engagement for undergraduate nursing students while exploring its potential to reduce loneliness and improve life satisfaction among older adults. Undergraduate nursing students, referred to as Legacy Builders, were paired with community‐dwelling older adults in the Columbus, Ohio, area and completed structured training in active listening, mindfulness, goal setting, growth mindset, legacy interviewing, and mentorship. Participants engaged in weekly guided conversations that culminated in the development of personalized legacy books. A mixed‐methods design was employed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale administered before and after the intervention, complemented by thematic analysis of students’ reflective journals. Although 98 student–older adult pairs participated in the program, quantitative analyses were conducted on data from the 73 older adults who completed both pre‐ and postintervention assessments. Quantitative findings demonstrated modest numerical improvements in loneliness and life satisfaction; however, these changes were not statistically significant. In contrast, qualitative findings highlighted meaningful relationship building, enhanced communication, increased social connectedness, and positive educational experiences for nursing students. These findings suggest that the Tellegacy program is a feasible and well‐received community‐based intervention that may promote intergenerational engagement and psychosocial well‐being. Larger controlled studies with more diverse populations are warranted to determine its effectiveness and broader applicability.