Caregiver Support
Our PLACE Caregiver Support Group
2nd Friday of each month, 9a - 11a
Tellico Village Library, 300 Irene Lane, Loudon, TN
This support group is affiliated with Alzheimer’s TN., Inc., and is dedicated to providing education featuring
guest speakers, fellowship, and support for those giving care to an elderly loved one.
Refreshments are provided.
*To be added to the Caregiver Support Group contact list, please email activities@ourplacetn.org.
Men's Support Group
3rd Wednesday of each month, 1p - 3p
Christ Our Savior Lutheran, 260 Wade Road W, Loudon, TN
Facilitated by Matt Noll, Owner, Home Instead Senior Care of Maryville
Worship Service
Held Quarterly on Wednesday at 4:30pm
Next Worship: March 27,2024
In Partnership with Community Church
Our Place, 103 Cheeyo Way, Loudon, TN
Additional/Online Resources:
Alzheimer's Tennessee - www.alztennessee.org
Alzheimer's Association - www.alz.org
Pat Summitt Foundation - www.patsummit.org
Expansion Coming for Our PLACE
Diane Strever for Our PLACE
March 2024
This new year has brought new leadership to Our PLACE, and will bring expansion of the facility at 103 Cheeyo Way, hopefully around March 1. The expansion will provide additional square footage to create a more cohesive program and more space for participants.
On February 1st, Sarah Martin was named the Executive Director of the program, formerly having been in the role of Activities Manager. Sarah shares her love of the participants and families openly, and feels it is where she is meant to serve. She moved to TN from California, where she had worked with a similar population. She was encouraged to apply for her previous position at Our PLACE by a couple she met at a Lenoir City football game. After hearing what she did in California, they told her they knew of a great job position that would be perfect. That led Sarah to the program, and she joined the staff in time for the opening in March 2022.
Sarah’s goal is to have the participants and their families continue to feel cared for in a warm, homelike community, and that outlook is reflected in the staff and volunteers as well. As the building expansion begins, she will focus on allowing time for the participants and staff to stabilize, provide continuity, and feel safe. Sarah recently made a presentation about Our PLACE and its program to the local 100 Women Who Care Foothills Chapter. The membership voted to award $15,000 to Our PLACE! The staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers thank the 100 Women Who Care on behalf of the participants and their families. Sarah hopes after the expansion is completed that some of those funds could be used to offer opportunities for occupational therapy and functional activities, such as folding laundry, creating routines, or sorting different items. It also would provide an area of respite for those participants who occasionally need a place away from others to calm down or refocus. We are looking forward to the new expansion and Sarah’s vision to enhance the existing program.
Our Moment of Joy individual this month is Frank, who attends Our PLACE three days a week. He and his wife Ruth moved to Tennessee in 2006 from Annapolis, MD. He and Ruth met at a YMCA dance in Brocton, Mass, and the romance has remained for 53 years! Ruth and Frank have four children and four grandchildren, and Ruth worked as a Reference Librarian at the Naval Academy and as a librarian in Bridgeport, CT.
Frank received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Korean War with the Army Medical Service Corps, and recently received the “Ambassador of Peace” Medal from the Korean Government, given locally by the American Legion. Among many positions, Frank was a professor of social sciences, and was promoted to a Deanship at Delhi University in Delhi, New York. He was involved in accreditation and administration at Delhi.
Frank suffers from vascular dementia, and Ruth noticed he was bored and uninterested at home. Their two daughters encouraged them to check out Our PLACE after they attended an Open House. Since enrolling in the program, (Veterans Benefits help with the cost) Frank is very comfortable in the program. He feels he has friends there, can be himself, and enjoys the activities, such as the therapy dogs, music groups, and puzzles. He also is more communicative at home, and will play games or do puzzles with Ruth. Frank’s days in the program allows Ruth the time to enjoy her passion- painting (watercolors, pastels, portraits). She has flexible time to attend appointments or the support groups, and visit the library.
Recently while volunteering at Our PLACE, the participants were engaged in a spirited game of Pool-Noodle Balloon Toss, and I glanced over to see Frank’s reaction. He was grinning from ear to ear! Despite limited mobility, Frank was actively batting the balloon to friends in the circle, and laughing out loud! It was truly a Moment of Joy!
Finally, hold the date of May 19th at the Yacht Club for an evening to benefit Our PLACE. More details to follow!