After closing in December 2021, the assisted living center in Eureka is getting much needed renovations. Formerly Vintage Park at Eureka, The Mapleton - Eureka is expected to open this coming spring.
With hopes of providing a safe place for seniors, fostering connections and preserving the life stories of seniors, Chase and Carly Thornock, along with their three boys, are focused on revitalizing the assisted living facility.
It wasn’t until Chase had to battle for his own life that the family switched directions. Eleven years ago, the Thornocks were anticipating the arrival of their first son when Chase was forced to fight for his own life. Chase, who majored in Business at BYU, was working as a CEO for a financial technology software company when he developed an autoimmune disease that impaired his ability to eat and walk. He was being nourished intravenously via a PICC line. Overnight he contracted a staph infection that had entered his PICC line and went septic. While, gratefully, the medical professionals were able to save Chase from certain death due to the septcemia, they tried everything to treat his autoimmune disease, including chemotherapy, but it didn’t work. He was forced to step away from his role as CEO as his condition continued to worsen.
While bedridden, Chase partnered with his brothers, Aaron and John, and built The Mapleton, in Andover. “Being a caregiver at a young age opened my eyes to the process,” stated Chase. Losing his father in a vehicle accident at age 2 and his mother to an autoimmune disorder at 18, Chase saw firsthand the need for assisted living and witnessed the importance of preserving their life stories. “It served a dual purpose,” stated Chase. “We could create a safe place for seniors and be a business opportunity.”
Eventually Chase's health contin ued to worsen, and he and Carly (now serving as a prim ary care giver to Chase), began to prepare for his seemingly inevitable death. It was in that dark place that Chase heard a voice; 'If you are going to heal, Chase, you will need to heal yourself.' Chase listened, and learned the secrets he needed to cure his autoimmune disease. With his new-found health, the Thornocks began looking for locations that could benefit from what they had learned from the personal and business experience of caregiving. “Andover felt a lot like home,” stated Carly, “minus the mountains,” she said while referencing her hometown of Kaysville, Utah. The Mapleton, in Andover, was built with two buildings on one campus in 2018 and 5 years later, the Thornock brothers were contacted regarding the facility in Eureka. After looking at the location and talking it over, Carly and Chase, along with their three children, Nyle, 10; Gordon, 8; and Eddy, 6; moved to Eureka from Utah to revitalize the facility, located at 1820 E. River Street, in Eureka.
Carly, an interior designer and life coach, is looking at making the facility welcoming and home-like to all looking to take advantage of the assisted living life.
Those interested in discussing the design are welcome to talk with Carly and share their input on the project.
The Mapleton – Eureka will be renovated in three phases. Nine rooms are included in the first phase, of which half are already spoken for. Those interested in the remaining rooms are welcome to put a fully refundable deposit in before the renovations are complete. The largest phase, including 15 rooms, will be the second phase of renovations with the final phase including 10 rooms.
Last week, the Thornocks shared they had completed painting and flooring is expected to begin this week. Once the flooring is complete, furnishing and decorating will commence. As the renovations come together, the State Fire Marshall and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability (KDADS) will schedule a visit to give a final approval for the new business to open in Eureka.
But, the passion doesn’t stop there. The Thornocks have also been working on developing a software platform called “Rootz” that allows loved ones to share messages with one another through an app that would be used at their facility. The app aims to record and preserve life stories of the residents. “Every individual in this community has a story to tell and we want to make sure those stories are not forgotten,” stated Carly. “The app will bridge the gap between generations, allowing families to stay connected and celebrate the legacy of their loved ones.” The app allows families to send messages, photos and videos to ask their elderly relatives questions about their lives. The software will then record and automatically organize their responses to provide a searchable, bite-sized, life history for future generations. More information on Rootz can be found at www.rootz.life As Eureka progresses, the Thornocks remain focused on creating an assisted living center that will provide exceptional care but also celebrates the resident’s life stories.
Those wishing to gather more information or to secure a deposit should call The Mapleton at 316500-7400. Updates on the rennovation and additional information are available at themapleton.com /eureka
