Grand Opening June 18 Celebrates New Resource for Families Navigating Dementia Care
ROSSVILLE, Ga. (June 11, 2026) — More than 188,000 Georgians are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Georgia Department of Human Services, and the need for specialized dementia care continues to affect families across the state. Many families are searching for support that can meet their loved ones’ changing needs while keeping them close to home.
To help address that need, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Happy Valley, is now welcoming residents, expanding access to specialized memory care for families throughout Walker County, North Georgia and the greater Chattanooga region.
“When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, families are often faced with difficult and emotional decisions,” said Melissa Bartlett, executive director of The Lantern at Morning Pointe Happy Valley. “Our goal is to provide compassionate, personalized care close to home so families can remain connected to their loved ones while having confidence they are receiving the support they need.”
Unlike traditional memory care settings, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Happy Valley was designed specifically around the reality that dementia affects each person differently and that needs change as the disease progresses.
The community features two distinct and secure memory care areas: Lamplight and Lantern. Lamplight serves residents in the earlier stages of memory loss, offering structured routines, social engagement and opportunities to maintain independence. The Lantern neighborhood provides a more intimate environment for individuals with more advanced cognitive challenges, with enhanced support, calming surroundings and personalized care designed to promote comfort and dignity.
The new Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence represents an investment not only in local seniors and their families, but also in the future of Walker County. Along with expanding specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia services for area families, the project supported approximately 100 construction jobs and will add 75 permanent healthcare and support positions. Through payroll, property taxes and the local purchase of goods and services, the Happy Valley campus is expected to generate more than $35 million in annual economic impact.
“When Franklin Farrow and I founded Morning Pointe nearly 30 years ago, our goal was simple: to create communities where seniors could receive quality care while remaining connected to the people and places they love,” said Greg Vital, co-founder of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “Opening this community is a continuation of that mission. As more families are affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, we believe they deserve access to specialized care close to home. While our original Happy Valley community included memory care services, this new Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence allows us to expand that support and serve more families with an environment designed specifically for the unique challenges of memory loss.”
Associates receive specialized dementia-care training and utilize evidence-based approaches that focus on relationship-building, meaningful engagement and supporting each resident’s individual abilities and interests. Residents also participate in Morning Pointe’s Meaningful Day™ program, which creates personalized opportunities for purpose, connection and success throughout each day.
The Lantern at Morning Pointe Happy Valley will celebrate its grand opening with a public open house on Thursday, June 18, from 4 to 7 p.m., including an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Community members, healthcare professionals and families are invited to tour the community, meet team members and learn more about memory care resources available in the region.
The community is located at 2937 Happy Valley Road in Rossville.
For more information call: (706) 567-4111
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
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.
