Photo: The ribbon-cutting for The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley
As guests from across the greater Knox County area gathered for the grand opening of The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley, Cissie King, a Lantern family member, took center stage—sharing what this new memory care community has already meant to her, her mother and their entire family.
“I’m not the caregiver and the daughter – I’m the daughter again,” King said during the May 15 celebration. “Once I came here, this felt like home. I could just tell from the staff, the facility itself. She is so happy. It’s such a joy to come and visit with her and spend quality time. I know she’s taken care of. I know she’s well fed. She’s with peers. We’re so thankful she is so happy.”
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Grand Opening Highlights
The all-memory care community, located at 2433 Reagan Road in Knoxville, welcomed local dignitaries and guests to the celebration for the official ribbon-cutting, tours, and the chance to learn more about the building’s impact on the wider community.
Greg A. Vital, Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founder and president, spoke to that same family need.
“We’re seeing more retirees move into this part of East Tennessee, and with them comes their family members who have been needing the services that Morning Pointe provides,” Vital said. “Morning Pointe is honored to help family members become family members again rather than just caregivers. There is always a compassion and care in their hearts to help that loved one, but Morning Pointe is there to provide those professional, compassionate services that can help the resident and their family enjoy quality of life.”
Several other presenters helped mark this milestone and shared their perspectives on the growing need for care options for aging seniors in the greater Knoxville area. These speakers included:
- Jane Jolley, community engagement director with the Office of Knox County Mayor
- Amanda O’Dell, VP of investor development and experience with the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce
- Gina Oster, District #3 Knox County Commission Chair
- Sage Kohler, founder and past president of the Hardin Valley Business and Community Alliance
- Sandra Franklin, executive director at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley
- Janice Wade-Whitehead, president and CEO of Alzheimer’s Tennessee
“The path to Alzheimer’s care is often a difficult one for family, so I hope that families will feel relief, feel that they are not alone,” said Wade-Whitehead. “I think the opening today of another Lantern Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence is exciting for our community because of the impact that it will have. It’s exciting to know that there’ll be other options for our family. We know what to expect from Morning Pointe and that ‘Center of Excellence’ is not just a word that’s put out there – it’s a high standard to meet.”
The Grand Opening program also highlighted some of The Lantern’s volunteers and just how meaningful these connections can be. The Hardin Valley Academy Chamber Choir opened and closed the ceremony with song, while the Anderson County High NJROTC led the flag ceremony and pledge of allegiance. These partnerships reflect Morning Pointe’s commitment to intergenerational engagement—bringing students and seniors together to foster empathy, understanding, and shared joy. Dedicated volunteer and past Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent winner Deborah Cable provided live harp music, showcasing the power of older adults in the wider community to enrich the lives of residents through their talents and time.
The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley is the 41st Morning Pointe Senior Living community. It 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.
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What The Lantern Offers
The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley, is Phase II of the Morning Pointe of Hardin Valley senior living campus. It includes two distinct levels of memory care, expanding the model of care on site. 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 at the new community include:
- Licensed nurses providing oversight of health, wellness and medication management
- Licensed, clinical, or care staff available 24 hours a day
- Personal grooming assistance, such as bathing or getting dressed
- Assistance with transferring to a bed or chair
- Escorting to meals and events
- Accommodations for no-salt-added and reduced-concentrated-sweets diets
- Pharmacy services
- Transportation services for medical appointments
- A beauty salon/barbershop
- A 24-hour emergency response system
- On-site physical, occupational and speech therapy services
- Life enrichment activities such as arts and crafts, wellness offerings like exercise classes, and intergenerational activities, including partnering with local schools
- Morning Pointe’s Farm to Table dining program with local, farm-fresh and seasonal ingredients
The community uses Morning Pointe Senior Living’s Meaningful Day™ program, a personalized approach to memory care that focuses on each resident’s past experiences, interests, and abilities. Associates intentionally create engaging activities that feel natural and familiar, which adds to a feeling of safety and security for residents. Other memory care offerings at The Lantern include the Best Friends™ Approach, Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach™ to Care, music therapy, art therapy and cuddle therapy.
To tour the community, learn more information or make a reservation, call 865-343-0409.
The Bigger Picture
With the expansion of the campus, the original building at 2449 Reagan Road is now officially Morning Pointe of Hardin Valley Assisted Living. It has started renovations of the former memory care wing, transforming it into Signature Alcove apartments, cozy gathering spaces, a coffee station and a library. It is also taking reservations for new residents. For inquiries, call 865-343-0081, or stop by the community.
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 greater Knoxville area include Clinton, Knoxville, Lenoir City and Powell. For more information, 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 clinical scholarships and caregiver support. For more information, visit morningpointefoundation.com.
