A dementia diagnosis for her mother changed Carla Stevenson’s family forever, as she and her siblings found themselves trying to find appropriate care and navigate the challenges of the disease process. The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence in Collegedale, Tennessee, has helped Carla and her mom find a vital support system along the journey.
Carolyn Hilbert lived an active and vibrant life before dementia. She especially enjoyed traveling, including to Europe with family members, and she continued to travel into her senior years. After her diagnosis, her daughter Carla moved her into a retirement center. “I knew that would only work for a little while, and I thought I might need to go ahead and get on a waiting list with a memory care facility,” Carla remembered.
While exploring options, Carla visited The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Collegedale and was immediately impressed by the supportive and welcoming environment. The executive director provided reassurance and guidance. “I witnessed his interaction with some of the residents and staff,” she said. “I knew this was the perfect place whenever the time was right.”
Moving and Settling In at Collegedale Lantern
In February 2023, that time came. “It was clear that Mom was struggling with bathing, dressing, and even sleeping in her own bed in her own apartment,” Carla explained. “She could no longer do life at that level. She needed help with so many basic life activities. I called The Lantern, and they had a room available. I was so excited to be able to get this room for Mom.”
Carolyn joined The Lantern family in March 2023, and she and her family were able to relax knowing the care she was receiving was at the right level for her needs. “At first, she was able to meet people, make friends, play the piano, and even go on outings with the activities director,” Carla shared. “Everything here was life that she could understand. She was content. For the first time in a very long time, I knew that she was getting bathed. Her clothes were being washed. Her bed was being made. These were things that she didn’t even realize she couldn’t do but enjoyed having done.”
Not only were Carolyn’s basic care needs, such as hygiene and medication, being met, but she had opportunities for special enriching moments, such as having a great view of Collegedale’s spectacular 4th of July fireworks from the community’s front porch and attending the Senior Prom at The Commons in Collegedale, all dolled up and able to enjoy good food and dancing!
Here for the Whole Journey
The activities and care have also adapted as Carolyn’s disease has progressed. “She can no longer do some of those things, but there are always activities and music events that she can enjoy,” Carla reflected. “It is still and always will be life at her level.”
Not only has this been beneficial for Carolyn, but Carla and her family have found peace of mind and a renewing of their familial relationships.
Carla shared: “Having Mom at The Lantern makes everything easy for me. Mom is safe. She has good meals and assistance getting to the table. She gets constant medical attention. The medical staff handles all of her medications. I never have to fill a pill box or refill a prescription. I can see her as often as I like, but I am not her sole source of entertainment. Also, when she is sick, she has many people with more medical training and understanding of her illness than I have attending to her. That takes so much stress off of me.”
She added, praising the staff, “All of the workers work together well and really care about each individual. They are constantly interacting with the residents, helping them transfer from one location to another, sitting next to them, hugging them, and reassuring them if they are having a difficult day. They do fun activities with the residents and help them enjoy crafting and playing games like bingo or cornhole. I so much appreciate the Lantern and the care that Mom gets.”
The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Collegedale has provided Carla and her mother, Carolyn, not only with exceptional memory care but also with a renewed sense of peace and hope. For families facing the challenges of dementia, having a community that meets their loved ones where they are — offering care, dignity, and meaningful experiences — can make all the difference.
To learn more about The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Collegedale, call (423) 396-4700, or visit the community website here.
