About Our PLACE
Our PLACE is a licensed, non-profit, non-sectarian Adult Day Center that opened in March of 2022. It serves residents of Loudon and Monroe Counties, as well as surrounding communities that have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.
The land on which Our PLACE resides was donated for this purpose by the Tellico Community Foundation and the East Tennessee Foundation. It is located opposite Food Lion at the intersection of SR 444 and SR 72 in Loudon. Celia Gruzalski is the Our PLACE Executive Director and brings a number of years of experience in assisting seniors with Alzheimer's/Dementia, and their care partners, to our program. The Activities Manager is Sarah Martin who has several years experience working in Alzheimer's and dementia activities programming in a memory care facility setting.
Our PLACE is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 - 4:30, and participants may attend 2-5 days a week. Each day, participants will be offered a different program of activities suited to their abilities. These activities are designed to promote socialization and stimulation and may include music, exercise, crafts, games, pet therapy, reminiscence therapy, and more. Whenever possible, activities will be theme-based, highlighting the seasons, holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions. Our PLACE will serve beverages and provide snacks twice daily. Participants may bring a sack lunch from home or order a box lunch to be delivered at an additional cost.
If you are interested in Our PLACE for your loved one, please contact us at director@ourplace.org or call (865) 657-7222. Click here for a short video about how the mission of Our PLACE can support your goal of the best care possible for your loved one.
Our TEAM
Executive Director
Celia Gruzalski
Activities Manager
Sarah Martin
Program Assistants
Patricia Miller
Katie O'Reilly
Maggie Taylor
Debra Varducci
Bookkeeping
Brandi Johnson
Board of Directors
Jim Dezzutti - Chairman
Rob McCoy - Vice Chairman
John Brazil - Treasurer
April Edmonds - Secretary
Members at Large
Deb Brantley • Larry McJunkin
Ginny Ranck • Celia Harrison
Jim Self • Don Jernberg
John Hunn
Advisory Council
Buddy Bradshaw • Mitch Ingram
Tony Aikens • Jeff Harris
Chris Wampler • Barbara Levin