Photo: Jake Davenport by the chalkboard in The Lantern wing of Morning Pointe of East Hamilton
~
Kim Lepard found peace of mind when she moved her father into the memory care wing of Morning Pointe of East Hamilton. Now, she is looking forward to the opening of the campus’s fully memory-care community, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, East Hamilton, located next door at 1775 Generations Way.
A Family’s Journey
Lepard had been caring for her father, Jake Davenport, at home but knew he needed more supervision and socialization. She toured Morning Pointe of East Hamilton and knew she had found the right place for her dad, a former sheet metal salesman.
“They understood what I was going through as a family member,” Lepard said. “They have been so accommodating and caring and efficient. My dad is very happy there. He thinks he’s at a resort. He does not stay in his room as much, and he engages more in activities.”
Lepard shared her excitement about having her father in the new, all-memory care community. “I feel like the new building is going to be so pretty and convenient,” she said.
Developing a Team
Meanwhile, a team of associates trained in dementia and Alzheimer’s is preparing to welcome Davenport and other current memory care residents, as well as residents who are completely new to the campus.
“This building is more than walls – it’s a promise of comfort, dignity and personalized care for our future residents,” said Lindsey Hughes, executive director. “The families who have toured so far have felt the warmth, and that’s exactly what we will offer—peace of mind and a place that feels like home.”
Morning Pointe has named the following individuals to the community’s leadership team:
- Lindsey Hughes – Executive Director
- Cindy Tucker – Director of Nursing
- Hannah Thurmond – Business Office Director
- Maggie Maples – Lantern Program Director
- Missy Dane – Community Relations Director
- Andrew Tredway – Food Service Director
- Chevy White – Maintenance Director
Together, these individuals bring a wealth of experience, as well as a shared commitment to delivering memory care with heart.
~
~
What to Expect at The Lantern
The newly constructed memory care community marks the second phase of the Morning Pointe of East Hamilton senior living campus. The Lantern will provide a thoughtfully designed, secure, and nurturing environment for seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The new community offers 60 apartments covering two distinct levels of memory care, expanding the model of care on campus. These are Lamplight, a large area for residents with early-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia who are more active, and Lantern, a more intimate and quiet space designed for more advanced stages.
Services and amenities at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, East Hamilton will include:
- Licensed nurses providing oversight of health, wellness and medication management
- Licensed, clinical or care staff available 24 hours a day
- 24-hour personalized care services
- Periodic check-ins
- Personal grooming assistance, such as bathing or getting dressed
- Assistance with transferring to a bed or chair
- Escorting to meals and events
- Incontinence management
- On-site physical, occupational and speech therapies
Programming will include a variety of life enrichment such as arts and crafts, wellness offerings like exercise classes, and intergenerational activities, such as partnering with local schools. Residents will benefit from Morning Pointe’s Farm to Table dining program with local, farm-fresh and seasonal ingredients. And memory care specific offerings will include the Best Friends™ Approach, Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach™ to Care, Meaningful Day™ purposeful programming, music therapy, art therapy and cuddle therapy.
To tour the community, learn more, or make a reservation, call 423-973-0003.
~
~
More About Morning Pointe
The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, East Hamilton will be the 42nd Morning Pointe Senior Living community. The grand opening date will be announced soon.
The new community will create approximately 60 permanent healthcare positions and is estimated to have a positive economic impact of more than $25 million annually, considering payroll, property taxes and local purchase of goods and services.
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital (president) and J. Franklin Farrow (CEO), Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five states. Other locations in the Hamilton County include Chattanooga, Collegedale and Hixson. For more information about Morning Pointe or The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, East Hamilton, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide nursing scholarships and caregiver support. For more information, visit morningpointefoundation.com.
