On Thursday, The Lantern at Morning Pointe in Russell hosted an open house, showing off the facility, which is a year and half in the making.

The Alzheimer’s and memory care complex features 50 apartments for those living with conditions which affect memory function.

The center offers a specialization in the needs of patients, who were formerly housed at the adjacent Morning Pointe care home.

The spacious and beautiful building currently hosts 30 residents and staff say there is room to take 14 more.

Those staying at The Lantern will engage in a steady stream of daily activities, based on their past life experiences, which are designed to improve memory function.

Interactive memory skills centers are set up throughout the building, featuring computer-based tasks or physical activities, such as playing musical instruments.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 5.5 million Americans currently living with the disease, which robs them of memories, ability to function independently and, often, the sense of identity, as they no longer recognize family members or those who were close to them.

The staff of Morning Point have said their mission is to help those with Alzheimer’s and other memory-impacting conditions, such as Lewy Body Dementia, in “aging with dignity” in a secure place.

The Morning Point will serve a noble cause and it is a blessing to the region that such a top-of-the-line facility now exists in our area to help families battling Alzheimer’s and the effects it has not just on the patient, but also the loved ones around them.