Caregiver Support

Our PLACE Caregiver Support Group

2nd Friday of each month, 9a - 11a at the 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 director@ourplacetn.org.

Loudon Senior Center Caregiver Support

1st Thursday of each month, 2p - 3p at the Loudon Senior Center, 901 Main Street, Loudon, TN

Great News for Your Brain in 2026!

By Laurie Fox for Our PLACE

The field of brain health is expanding rapidly, and all of us want to understand how these advances affect our loved ones and us, no matter where we land on memory lane. Did you know dementia is one of the most significant health challenges of our time, affecting millions of individuals and families worldwide? While medical advances continue to evolve, one of the most powerful tools we have today is education. 

At Our PLACE Memory Day Center, we believe that knowledge builds confidence and community. That’s why we are excited to offer three educational programs this year—free and open to all members of our community. These programs will introduce you to local clinicians who specialize in brain health and can help explain the difference between normal aging and dementia-related diseases. They’ll answer your questions and share insights grounded in clinical expertise. We’ll also provide practical information about caregiver tools, legal considerations, and trusted local resources that families can turn to for support. For more information on these programs, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor.

Education empowers. It replaces fear with understanding, stigma with acceptance, and uncertainty with informed action. By investing in dementia education, we strengthen families, improve care, and uphold dignity, respect, and quality of life for those living with memory loss.

This commitment extends beyond our public programs. Each year, Our PLACE invests in comprehensive training for staff and volunteers. We understand that by using methods from a growing body of clinical research and national experts, we ensure that the care we provide is compassionate, consistent, and grounded in evidence. 

Of course, while education is essential, it’s the human moments that remind us why this work matters.

Last week, while at Our PLACE, I experienced a Moment of Joy when Mike, one of our program participants, taught me a new dance step. Since I used to mow my parents’ lawn using a pull cord, I was well prepared. It involved taking my left hand and reaching down to the right to “start the mower,” pulling my hand up in the air. We laughed, and suddenly the world was right again.

All of us at Our PLACE want to recognize Diane Strever for sharing her touching, heartfelt journey and Moments of Joy with us through this space. This is an extraordinary place that attracts extraordinary people.  Meeting Diane and then reading her thoughtful experiences over the months with so many of our participants, I see her true servant’s heart. So, it’s not surprising that Diane will continue to volunteer at Our PLACE, and we will continue to benefit from all she has to offer! 

Our PLACE Memory Day Center encourages anyone with simple to complex questions to reach out via email at director@ourplacetn.org or by phone at (865) 657-7222 to schedule a 30-minute confidential appointment. Together we are better!