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From Behind the Front Desk to Calling It Home: Franklin Resident Has a Special Connection to Morning Pointe

FRANKLIN, Ind. (November 3, 2026) — After spending eight years helping others feel welcome at Morning Pointe of Franklin Assisted Living and Memory Care, Joann Strietelmeier now has the opportunity to experience that same sense of community as a resident. At 90, her connection to Morning Pointe has come full circle, turning a familiar workplace into a place she proudly calls home.

Before moving into the community in September 2022, Joann spent five years working as a receptionist at Morning Pointe, followed by three years volunteering. She was once the person greeting visitors and helping families feel at ease as they walked through the doors. Now, she is among the familiar faces that make up the a resident family.

But what Joann appreciates most about life at Morning Pointe goes beyond her history with the community. It’s the everyday companionship and relationships that make her feel connected. When asked what she enjoys most about living there, she summed it up simply: “Being with people, companionship.”

That connection is especially evident in the time she spends with her family. Her daughter, Kathy, visits frequently, often bringing Joann’s great-grandchildren along for breakfast in the mornings. These regular visits give Joann the chance to enjoy time with the younger generations of her family, keeping those family bonds close.

Joann’s story began in Morgantown, Indiana. She later lived in Trafalgar before moving to Franklin in 2000, where she continued building a life surrounded by family and community. Today, at 90, she remains active and even occasionally gets behind the wheel.

Having experienced Morning Pointe as an associate, a volunteer and now a resident, Joann has a unique perspective on the community. Her journey reflects the relationships that can grow over time and the sense of belonging that can make a place feel like home.

For Morning Pointe of Franklin, it’s especially meaningful to have someone who once spent her time welcoming others now enjoying that same community herself.

About Morning Pointe Senior Living

Morning Pointe Senior Living, headquartered in Ooltewah, Tennessee, was founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in four southeastern states, including GA, IN, KY & TN. 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. 

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