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Connecting generations. Creating lasting impact.

Caching Memories pairs older and younger adults to build relationships, honor stories, and create ripple effects of connection that last a lifetime.

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Born in the midst of COVID-19, Caching Memories began as a way to bridge the gap of disconnection and bring comfort to older adults during a time of uncertainty. What started as a response to the pandemic has grown into a thriving, multi-faceted program. Today, we’ve fostered over 500 intergenerational connections—and counting—helping people of all ages build meaningful relationships, share stories, and find common ground across generations.

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Caching Memories is more than just a program to ease loneliness—it’s about mutual benefit, growth, and connection. Older adults share their life stories, wisdom, and photos; younger adults gain insight, empathy, and skills that shape them as future leaders and caregivers. Families, institutions, and communities also experience the ripple effect of impact.

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While the program began virtually, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to connection. We’re open to exploring what works best for each community, whether online, in-person, or hybrid—because we all find connection in different ways.

Program Benefits

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Older Adults

  • Experience improved quality of life and well-being

  • Build purposeful relationships with a younger generation

  • Feel continuous connection through storytelling and photo sharing

  • Impart wisdom while taking on a valued social role as a teacher

  • ​Help train future healthcare and social science workers in empathy and person-centered care

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University Students & Institutions

  • Gain real-world experience communicating with older adults

  • ​Develop communication and relationship-building skills through storytelling

  • Build empathy and person-centered care practices for future careers

  • Reflect on life lessons and accrue service-learning hours​​​​

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Families

  • Access a non-pharmacological approach to memory care

  • Build stronger bonds with loved ones through shared stories and photos

  • Gain new insight into loved ones’ life stories

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Facilities & Caregivers

  • Learn more about residents on a personal level

  • Deepen connections and trust through meaningful conversations

  • Improve resident engagement and satisfaction

  • Recognize residents as people with rich stories beyond their diagnoses

  • Reignite passion for caregiving through purposeful interactions

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Insurance Companies

  • Invest in holistic health and well-being of members

  • Increase member satisfaction and impact CMS Star Ratings

  • Differentiate services with a unique, evidence-based program

  • Support value-based provider networks

  • Reduce spend per beneficiary while aligning with shared values

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The Ripple Effect

Caching Memories is built on the belief that connection changes everything. From an older adult feeling seen and valued, to a student gaining life-changing perspective, to families cherishing preserved stories, the impact multiplies far beyond a single conversation.

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Grounded in Research, Striving Toward Evidence-Based Practice

From its start during COVID-19 to today, Caching Memories has grown into a program making a real difference in the lives of both older and younger adults. While we are still building the evidence base for our model, our early work and program outcomes have been recognized in the Journal of Ageing and Longevity.

 

This recognition highlights our commitment to learning, improving, and contributing to the growing field of intergenerational connection. As we continue to expand, we aim to further strengthen our research foundation so that communities everywhere can benefit from practices proven to improve well-being across generations.

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