Touchmark on West Prospect: 25 years of care, community

Cheryl Hentz

Contributor

May 4, 2026

APPLETON – Touchmark on West Prospect is marking a major milestone this spring, celebrating 25 years of serving older adults in the Fox Cities. 

Since its founding, Executive Director Stephanie Buchanan said the community has focused on fostering connection, promoting wellness and supporting purposeful living.

“For 25 years, Touchmark has been a place where people come not just to live, but to truly belong,” she said.

Originally developed with The Grande independent and assisted living homes and cottages at the front of the campus, Buchanan said Touchmark on West Prospect quickly grew into a vibrant senior living campus. 

Among its additions, Buchanan said, were 36 single-level, independent cottages – now known as the Fox Pointe neighborhood – designed for older adults seeking an active and engaging retirement lifestyle in the Fox Cities.

Buchanan said the 55-plus community provides a continuum of housing and services, including assisted living, early memory care and memory care, ensuring residents can access support as their needs change.

“Our founders’ original vision was that all of our communities are places where couples can live together even if their needs are different,” she said.

As needs change, Buchanan said one person in the couple may have to move to a different part of the campus, but they never have to leave the campus and are only a short walk away from their loved one.

Within the main, three-story building, called The Grande, Buchanan said there are 104 apartments – about 70 for independent living and the remainder for assisted living.

The one-story building known as The Meadows, she said, offers early memory care and memory care.

The property, Buchanan said, is also home to 36 Fox Pointe cottages. 

Between all three “neighborhoods” on the Touchmark campus, she said 188 households are serving 220 residents and a total of 165 team members to help provide that service.

“What makes this community special is the relationships – between residents, families and team members – and the shared commitment to creating a place where people feel known, valued and connected every day,” she said.

Over the years, Buchanan said the community has earned recognition for its excellence in wellness initiatives, workplace culture and community partnerships.

A celebration like no other

Though Touchmark regularly hosts parties and large gatherings, Buchanan said she and her team felt strongly about making the community’s silver anniversary especially meaningful.

Residents, she said, marked the occasion last month alongside family and friends, staff and community members.

Buchanan said The Fox Cities Chamber also took part, hosting two ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

“One was held in the lobby and residents were able to hold the ribbon,” she said. “They did another ribbon cutting outside by our entrance monument that our team members were able to partake in. The ribbon cuttings just added to how special the event was.” 

Becky Bartoszek, president/CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber, said reaching a 25-year milestone is significant for any business.

“That kind of longevity reflects stability, trust and a long-term commitment to this community, and that’s what strengthens our local economy,” she said. “What makes Touchmark’s milestone especially meaningful is the way they’ve created a place where residents can truly thrive, stay connected and continue to be part of what makes this region so strong. We congratulate them on this huge accomplishment.”

CEO Marcus Breuer – who came to town specifically for this event – said Touchmark was built to last – grounded in “our values, guided by our Gold Standards and strengthened by an employee-owned [and -operated] structure that keeps our focus on people, not outside interests.”

“That foundation is what makes milestones like the 25th anniversary at Touchmark on West Prospect possible,” he wrote on his LinkedIn profile. “I was grateful to be there with the team to celebrate.”

Breuer said what’s been built over the past 25 years reflects something simple but powerful: “strong relationships, consistent quality and a deep sense of purpose in the work.”

“That’s how you build something that endures,” he wrote. “Grateful for the first 25 years, and looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Touchmark resident, 96-year-old Jean Ormson – who moved there with her now-deceased husband in 2003 – said “this was one of the best parties they’ve ever had.”

But it’s much more than the parties the staff organizes for residents that Ormson said has kept her at Touchmark all these years. 

“[It] is different here, because you have instant friends,” she said. “There are a lot of things to do to satisfy your interests, and there are opportunities to go places and do things with other people. It just gives you a good feeling of friendship and socialization. My husband loved living here, too.” 

Buchanan said Ormson’s children live in Illinois, Indiana and Colorado. 

“I think the peace of mind for them knowing she’s in a good place that takes good care of her is important,” she said. [The fact] that she’s having socialization and fun gives them some peace, as well.”

Buchanan said the anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the people who have made the community what it is today.

“Every resident who has walked through our doors has added something to this community’s story,” she said. “As we celebrate 25 years, we’re also looking ahead with gratitude and excitement for the years still to come.”

To cap off the anniversary celebration, Buchanan said residents contributed meaningful items to a time capsule, which was sealed and is set to be opened 25 years from now.

Through the years

Buchanan said Touchmark updates its residences every 10-15 years.

The most recent neighborhood to get a facelift, she said, was The Meadows. 

Buchanan said though The Meadows was beautiful when it was built in 2014, changing styles and everyday wear and tear have made updates necessary over time.

So, in 2024, she said The Meadows underwent a full renovation, ensuring residents can continue to enjoy modern spaces designed for comfort, dignity and connection.

Buchanan said the COVID-19 pandemic also took a toll on the space, as the heavy use of cleaning supplies led to fading and general wear, making it a good time for a refresh.

“It was a huge undertaking because people were living in those neighborhoods as we were renovating them, but they got new paint colors, new flooring, new window coverings, new artwork on the walls,” she said. “That was a really fun addition, because it almost feels like you have your own art gallery.”

Buchanan said they also completed several upgrades to modernize the space and bring it in line with current trends.

“For example, TVs are now mounted on the walls, and that has helped the units become more functional for the residents,” she said. 

Buchanan said the community’s common spaces – well used over the years – were also refreshed and upgraded in 2024.

Beyond major renovations, Buchanan said the team is continually fine-tuning operations and exploring ways to further enhance the services residents receive.

“We’re always doing upgrades as things need to be changed,” she said. “We have a lot of support to keep our community meeting the excellent standards Touchmark has. So, when something needs to be replaced or changed out, we don’t put it off – we just do it.”

Pets are family

Buchanan said Touchmark embraces a pet-friendly environment, allowing residents to have pets of their own and welcoming visits from loved ones’ animals, provided they are vaccinated and well-behaved.

“We’re very pet-friendly, and residents can have their own pets in their homes or apartments,” she said. “A person’s dog is just as much your child as your children are, so allowing residents to have a pet is important.”

Buchanan said it’s not uncommon for Touchmark team members to visit on their days off with their dogs, with one even occasionally bringing in her cat.

“The residents just love it,” she said. “Any opportunities for a personal connection to make the people who work here really feel more like family or like people you know personally, those relationships mean a lot to our residents.” 

Buchanan said Touchmark also brings in pet therapy for residents in both memory care and independent living.

“It really benefits residents,” she said. “It warms your heart and feeds your soul.” 

Touchmark’s next 25 years – and beyond 

Buchanan said Wisconsin’s aging population is poised for significant growth.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s 65-plus population could reach 1.3 million by 2030.

Per the bureau, in Outagamie County alone, the population age 55 and older has nearly doubled since 2000 – a trend Buchanan said is also expected to place increasing strain on the workforce needed to provide care and services for older adults. 

The Touchmark community, she said, is already looking ahead to meet those needs, with three key areas on its campus available for future expansion. 

“None of that has been 100% defined yet, but there are a lot of conversations happening right now because we are starting to get to a point where we’re full consistently,” she said. “We have more people who want to move to our community, so the next step would be [build] an additional building or additional homes so we can continue to serve more people who are looking for this lifestyle.” 

Buchanan said plans are in place to introduce a new housing option, The Villa, in 2028, though details – such as the number of homes, location and layout – have yet to be determined.

“We have a separate entity called Touchmark Development and Construction,” she said. “They are the ones who work through all of the permits and the licensing, the design plans and such. Once it’s finalized, or at least a little bit more finalized than it is now, they’ll come out and do a full presentation for our residents so they know what’s happening.”

Buchanan said the strength of the Touchmark community comes down to its team members, adding that nothing happens without their collaboration.

“We take a lot of time in selecting the right people who fit the Touchmark culture or who will add to our culture and who really believe strongly in our values,” she said. “When we think about what makes us successful, I truly believe it’s the people who work here. We have some really amazing people who give of themselves and their time. They truly care about the people who live here.”

Buchanan said Touchmark operates with the philosophy that team members are working in the homes of their residents.

“When you have a whole bunch of people who all recognize these are the residents’ homes, it changes things and makes it feel like you’re in somebody’s home, rather than a facility or an institution,” she said.

Head to touchmark.com for more details.