More than 200 turned out to celebrate the grand opening of The Lantern Alzheimer’s Memory Care Center of Excellence at Morning Pointe of Lenoir City. Two state representatives, the Loudon County Mayor and Alzheimer’s Tennessee associates all spoke during the dedication, sharing personal stories about the disease and offering a message of hope thanks to communities like The Lantern.

“I am so proud of our 15 year track record,” said Greg A. Vital, owner of Morning Pointe, speaking to the standing room only crowd of supporters. “Our properties are state-of-the-art. We are serving a growing need and creating jobs. Careers for people that truly have a special calling. The associates that care for these residents day in and day out are the heart and soul of our communities.”

State Representative Jimmy Matlock, District 21 (Rep.) talked about the care his close family friends are receiving at The Lantern. State Representative Julia Hurley, District 32 (Rep.) shared a story of her neighbor’s struggle with the disease and the family’s challenge to find a place to care for her. “When I first walked into The Lantern, I was so amazed; it really is like a home.”

The grand opening of the Lantern marked the completion of phase II of Morning Pointe’s 10-acre Loudon County senior services campus. In addition, the company has already selected another location in the North Knoxville area, for a new 75 unit Morning Pointe Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Memory Care community in the Volunteer State.

The Lantern Alzheimer’s Memory Care Center of Excellence is a 33,000-square-foot building specifically constructed and designed for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory care disorders. Carefully selected and themed life enrichment areas depicting nostalgic scenes of the past, along with countless photographs capturing the history of Lenoir City and Loudon County, add to Morning Pointe’s specially developed “Meaningful Day” programming. This programming is based on Morning Pointe’s extensive experience in the field and the latest in Alzheimer’s research focusing on each person’s interests and life experiences. This allows for a “personalized” versus a “one size fits all” life enrichment program highlighting spiritual, physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs.

Located off Town Creek Road East on Morning Pointe Drive, adjacent to Fort Loudoun Medical Center, the Lantern at Morning Pointe of Lenoir City is directly across the street from Morning Pointe of Lenoir City Assisted Living. The senior campus is situated near medical services, shopping and other support networks and will employ approximately 90 full-time staff.  The newly-completed Lantern will provide a positive economic impact of more than $8 million annually considering payroll, property taxes and the local purchase of goods and services, officials said.

Morning Pointe COO, Franklin Farrow, State Representative Jimmy Matlock, District 21 (R), Loudon County Mayor Estelle Herron and Morning Pointe owner Greg A. Vital at the grand opening celebration for The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Lenoir City.