Thinking my grandma was the coolest ever when she played NBA Jam on Super Nintendo with us - especially when she beat my older brother, Mike, who I had been losing to for years.
Vice President at ElderBranch, healthcare analyst at Bain Capital, and perpetually optimistic - but always eventually heartbroken - Notre Dame football fan.
Watching The Cosby Show and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air every day after school with my grandfather, and wrapping up the TV session with the Will / Jazz handshake!
Founder of ElderBranch, strategy consultant at BCG, graduate of Harvard Business School, and aspiring soccer mom and minivan owner.
Courtney Allyn Polenick, M.S. is currently a doctoral candidate in human development and family studies at Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests include family caregiving, late-life depression and the relationship between reminiscence and mental health in later life.
I love working with seniors because their wisdom, grace, and humor are invaluable resources for younger generations. Growing up, I was always very close to my grandparents and great aunt, and the life stories that they shared with me instilled a foundation of values and strength that I still draw from today.
Dr. Meredith Troutman-Jordan's research has centered on successful aging in older adults, instrument development and testing and focus group research with elders. Currently, she is studying the Eat Better, Move More intervention to determine effects on mood, cardiovascular indicators, brain health knowledge and successful aging.
Each older adult with whom I work is like a rich history book, with a lifetime of memories, experiences, and wisdom. I enjoy working to improve the health and well-being of older adults in an effort to enhance their quality of life along with learn from them, to hopefully share their valuable insights with younger populations.
Grandma ...was one of the most loving and generous people you’d ever meet! A mother of four and a successful businesswoman in a male-dominated era, Grandma inspired me to pursue my goal of starting a company that helps others.
Grandpa ...loved to surprise his grandchildren with a recent purchase from QVC. While some were more desired than others (the gold-plated Barry Larkin card was a big hit; the battery-powered, light-up Broncos hat was less popular...), the joy those surprises brought us were the real gifts we will always cherish.
Seetha Pati ...recently spent a month with me helping me settle in after the birth of my baby. I now have some great videos of my son laughing and playing with his “kollu pati” (great grandmother)!
Tata ...was the perfect grandfather – doting, playful and loving. Some of my favorite memories are of times spent with him - from our daily trips to my favorite bakery in his hometown, to fighting over who had to make the tea that day for the both of us.
Grandma ...was a no-nonsense woman. Due to distance, we did not see her as often as we would have liked, and she definitely was not shy about letting us know that! But she loved her grandchildren more than anything, including golf where she owned 3 holes-in-one. Unfortunately, I did not inherit those skills.
Grandpap ...was born in Roswell, New Mexico, had weird mechanical drawings around his house, and often disappeared into the desert for over a week. My brother thought he was an alien, but he was really just an engineer with a passion for hiking, and there was nothing abnormal about his love for us.
Jaya Pati ...loved to feed her children and grandchildren! Nothing made her happier than getting an extra spoonful of food into our mouths. She loved to make Rice Krispies squares for us whenever she got the chance.
Tata ...unfortunately passed away when I was only two. I’m told that my father is very much like my grandfather was – in terms of both looks and personality – and so I feel like I have a bit of a window into what he must have been like.
