Abby's Home for the Elderly

Pros

• The Lantern staff are professional, courteous, and caring throughout the process.
• Every employee is exceptional, with smiles and a willingness to help.
• The Lantern at Morning Pointe Collegedale is filled with kind-hearted individuals who provide experienced memory care.
• The Collegedale Lantern is a recommended choice for a loved one's care.
• The Lantern in Collegedale quickly embraces residents like family and treats them with respect and love.
• The staff consistently deliver above-and-beyond care.
• Residents feel safe, noticed, and important every day.
• The staff and caregivers are thoughtful and caring, with families kept informed of issues.
• The staff's happiness at work and camaraderie create a sense of security and connection.
• The Lantern is a happy place where residents feel secure and well cared for.
• The living spaces are clean, safe, and comfortable, and the smaller size fosters closer personal bonds.
• Families are grateful and would highly recommend The Lantern to others.

Cons

• A reviewer described The Lantern as "a horrible place to work" and claimed that resident assistants sometimes don't feed residents breakfast until 10:30, even though breakfast is ready at 8.

Review

From the moment you reach out to The Lantern at Morning Pointe Collegedale, you sense a consistent thread of professionalism, courtesy, and genuine care that threads through every touchpoint. The experiences shared across multiple family members and visitors describe a process where staff respond with warmth and competence at each step, from initial inquiries to ongoing communication once a loved one has moved in. The impression is that this is more than a facility - it feels like a community where every interaction reinforces the sense that residents are seen, valued, and protected.

Across the board, reviewers emphasize that every employee they encountered was exceptional. There is a prevailing note of cheerfulness - a smile from staff that seems to reflect a welcoming culture - and a willingness to do "everything and anything" to help. The praise is not limited to a single role; it spans the office staff, the nurses, the support team, the kitchen crew, and the volunteers. The collective effort is described as going above and beyond what families might expect, with statements that "amazing doesn't even cover how great they are" capturing the high regard held for the Lantern's team.

A key strength that repeatedly surfaces is the staff's experience and expertise in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Reviewers describe a wealth of knowledge and a patient, understanding approach that honors residents' dignity while maintaining safety. The Lantern staff are portrayed as maintaining a professional demeanor while simultaneously fostering meaningful relationships - an art they have "mastered," in the words of families who watched their loved ones thrive under staff who knew when to be gentle, when to engage, and when to step back to allow a moment of autonomy.

Several heartfelt stories highlight the depth of these relationships. One family describes how, once their dad was admitted, he was embraced "like family" and treated with respect and love by every person - from office staff to nurses to kitchen staff and volunteers. The resident's sense of safety, being noticed, and feeling important became the daily standard. Even during challenging moments or difficult days, caregivers remained steadfast, ensuring that the resident never felt abandoned or neglected. This is the kind of continuity families reference when they say the Lantern has "mastered the art of professionalism and relationship."

Personal testimonials about specific caregivers and program features enrich the narrative. Several reviews single out Sarabeth and Tiffany for their thoughtful, respectful approach to memory care, with moments described where staff touched a resident's hair and softly whispered, "We love you." The activities director, Kelly, is noted for her devoted, warm presence, ensuring residents stay engaged and connected. The facility's volunteers also contribute to a positive atmosphere, reflecting a shared mission among staff and volunteers to sustain a culture of respect and genuine affection for residents. Families observe not just safety, but a daily sense of love and concern that fills the environment.

Care experiences extend beyond dementia-specific needs to overall quality of life. Parents and spouses recount encounters with meals that are nutritious and varied, with residents who enjoy meals and even "eat better than" their caregivers sometimes did at home. The Lantern's dining approach appears adaptable, meeting evolving needs as residents progress through different phases of ability. The living spaces are described as clean, safe, and comfortable, with a smaller, intimate setting that fosters personal bonds and easier navigation for residents. In this environment, many families feel their loved ones are not just cared for but also connected to a thriving little community.

The memories of living at The Lantern include moments of tenderness and reassurance. Families observe nursing staff and assistants who respond quickly to concerns, explain changes in a compassionate manner, and deliver care that respects residents' dignity. One reviewer emphasizes the way staff made a difficult period smoother - providing not only practical help with bathing, dressing, and eating but also emotional support that helped their mother feel content and well cared for. Even in moments of sorrow, the care team demonstrates sensitivity and a steady presence, underscoring a culture built on trust and love.

Several stories highlight the advantages of the Lantern's smaller facility environment. Families note that the smaller scale supports more personalized care and stronger, more meaningful connections between residents and caregivers. They appreciate the sense of community that comes from a less anonymous setting, where staff can be familiar faces and where residents can form closer relationships with peers and the people who care for them. The result, according to families, is a place where Dad or Mom feels confident navigating daily life and where family members feel increasingly confident leaving their loved ones in capable hands.

In many testimonials, choosing The Lantern of Collegedale is framed as a decision that markedly improved a loved one's quality of life. There is a strong sense of happiness replacing loneliness, with adults enjoying engaging activities, social interaction, good food, and a safe, nurturing home environment. One reviewer notes that their mother's happiness and absence of loneliness were among the most important outcomes of the move, and another celebrates how the combination of care, activity, and good meals transformed life at the facility. The overall tone is one of gratitude and relief from families who feel they made the right choice for their loved ones.

Not every voice is without nuance. One reviewer, in a contrasting note, describes a difficult work environment, calling it "a horrible place to work" and alleging that some resident assistants delay feeding residents until well after breakfast is scheduled. This perspective is notably different from the overwhelmingly positive sentiment found in other reviews. Yet even within this critical voice, there is acknowledgment that other staff - particularly the RAs - are capable and "awesome," suggesting that experiences may vary by role, day, and circumstance. This single account sits alongside countless others that celebrate the Lantern's strengths and the deep appreciation families feel for the care provided.

Taken together, the reviews paint a vivid portrait of The Lantern at Morning Pointe Collegedale as a place where residents with memory challenges are treated with extraordinary care, kindness, and respect. Families repeatedly describe a professional, compassionate staff that creates a sense of family and belonging, supports safety and dignity, and fosters a lively, engaging daily life through nutritious meals, varied activities, and meaningful interactions. While there are individual critiques, the prevailing narrative is one of trust, gratitude, and strong endorsement from families who have placed their loved ones in the Lantern's care and watched them flourish.

This part of Collegedale, Tennessee, offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several parks nearby such as Imagination Station and Booker T Washington State Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and scenic walks. There are also multiple hospitals and physicians within close proximity, including Erlanger Ooltewah Family and Advanced Surgical Concepts, ensuring easy access to medical care. Additionally, the area boasts a selection of pharmacies for medication needs and restaurants offering a range of dining options. Places of worship such as Christ United Methodist Church provide spiritual support, while Regal Hamilton Place theater offers entertainment options. Overall, this part of Collegedale provides a well-rounded community for seniors looking to settle in a peaceful and accessible location.

Parks

• Imagination Station (1.1 miles)
• East Brainerd Heritage Park (4.8 miles)
• Booker T Washington State Park (7.2 miles)

Physicians

• Erlanger Ooltewah Family (1.2 miles)
• Klinner Medical Center (2.9 miles)
• Erlanger at Volkswagen Drive (3.6 miles)
• Parkridge Valley Adult & Senior Campus (3.7 miles)
• Advanced Surgical Concepts (3.8 miles)
• Chattanooga Bariatrics (4 miles)
• Vincent A Viscomi MD (4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Photo Center (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)
• Designer Drugs (4.7 miles)
• ""Walmart Stores"" (4.9 miles)
• Moore & King Pharmacy (5.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Sonic Drive-In (2.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.8 miles)
• Panda Express (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Local Goat - New American Restaurant Ooltewah (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• Drake's Chattanooga (4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Lola Beans Coffee (4.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ United Methodist Church (4.3 miles)
• Ridgedale Baptist Church (5.6 miles)
• New Covenant Fellowship Church (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Atrium Imaging Center (4.6 miles)
• Cleveland Imaging (4.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Hamilton Place (5 miles)

Transportation

• CHA employee lot (6.7 miles)