A good friend once told me that moving to a continuing care retirement community is the best gift you could give to your children so that they are not overburdened with taking care of their parents in their final years of life. As a widow, this was important to me. I chose Cornwall Manor to be closer to one of my sons; the maintenance-free living, health care onsite and the multitude of services and amenities included like an onsite chapel and pastoral services, transportation and no monthly meal plan. Cornwall Manor had a variety of accommodations and I chose a new home at The Woods, which was similar to my home in Virginia. This helped make the move to Cornwall Manor easier. I couldn’t be happier! The community is very warm, caring and friendly.
We have told so many people outside of Cornwall Manor that we have never so much loved NOT owning a home! The convenience of maintenance-free living is reassuring and comforting. This gives us the time to do the things we want to do. Jack enjoys volunteering, tutoring, reading and walking on the various paths and Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. Ellen teaches yoga classes and enjoys spending time with her mother and aunt, who also both live at Cornwall Manor.
Speaking of family, the people who live and work here are like a big family. The staff knows your name, the residents are friendly and there is a high-level of compassion and caring for one another. We loved living near the ocean in New Jersey, but Cornwall Manor provides a different kind of beauty. The amenities here are superior to other communities and the setting is beautiful. We highly recommend moving while you are younger and healthy, so that you have plenty of time to get acclimated to Cornwall Manor and enjoy everything that’s offered.
WHO: Retired Computer Specialist in Capacity Planning
INTEREST: Golf, Bowling, Gardening, Cars, Sporting Events, Traveling, Dining Out and Cooking
Dic Schappell
As a widow and a father to three sons (two who do not live locally), making the move to Cornwall Manor has provided me with many advantages. It was important to me, as well as my sons, that Cornwall Manor has onsite medical care, if I should ever need it. I am relieved to not burden my sons with making those decisions about my future healthcare and I know that if I need it, a continuum of health care is here for me. Cornwall Manor’s location also allows me to continue living in Lebanon County where I grew up and spent most of my life. I am able to maintain my lifelong relationships while making new friendships here at Cornwall Manor. I no longer need to worry about home and property maintenance as I age. Having a maintenance-free lifestyle gives me the time to enjoy the things I enjoy doing most like taking rides in my convertible Mustang. I recommend moving to a community while you can still enjoy it!
We were very familiar with Cornwall Manor since Barb’s parents lived here and we visited them often. We were always fond of this place and remember the community as having friendly residents and staff. It was evident when Barb’s parents lived here that Cornwall Manor was always investing back into the community by implementing additional programs, services and amenities for seniors, like us. Even though the community has expanded a great deal, the sense of community and friendliness still remains as well as Cornwall Manor expanding services to adapt to resident’s needs and lifestyles. Cornwall Manor continues to be a solid and well-established organization. These were major factors in us making the decision to move here from Maine. As we are both retired from health professions, it was extremely important that we considered our future health care and what needs we may have. While it is challenging to know what the future holds, we are grateful to know that we will be taken care of at Cornwall Manor. We enjoy all the amenities that are fitting to our lifestyle – we are close to the Rail Trail for walking and we both enjoy gardening year round in the historic greenhouses. We still travel a great deal and don’t have to worry about our home while we are away.
INTEREST: Reading, Fitness, History, Music (Symphonic, Opera, Jazz, Blues), Theatre
Debbie Tice
Formerly living in Columbia, Maryland, I was attracted to Cornwall Manor’s lower cost of living, less traffic, a slower pace and smaller population, the nature setting, and the opportunity to be closer to family for my retirement years. My parents lived in a continuing care retirement community in Virginia, so I was familiar with the benefit of continuing care as they aged. Not having to worry about future health care or maintenance issues allows me to focus on enjoying my life. The Cornwall Manor community, both residents and staff, are very warm and welcoming. I am looking forward to exploring the arts, cultural opportunities, restaurants and shopping in nearby Mt. Gretna, Lebanon, Lancaster and Hershey.
WHO: Retired Human Resources Director (Fred); School Teacher (Judy)
INTEREST: Photography (Fred); Yoga (Judy)
Fred & Judy Horowitz
Being born and living most of our lives in the Washington, D.C. area, we relocated to Lebanon County to be closer to our son and his family. We chose Cornwall Manor for the continuum of care, maintenance-free lifestyle, unique beauty of the wooded grounds, a perfect size community (not overwhelming) and amenities that appeal to both of us – including the indoor swimming pool, fitness center and dining room (with no required meal plan!).
The management team is onsite and approachable to discussion and suggestions. Cornwall Manor has a Residents Association that provides opportunities for residents to become involved in the maintaining the lifestyle of our community. Residents are able to offer feedback and ideas to staff liaisons on Activities, Building and Grounds, Communications, Dining Services, Wellness and Health Services and Aesthetics including trees, gardens and greenhouses.
There are many things that attracted us to Cornwall Manor, but being from an area with a higher-cost of living, we highly recommend that you consider the value of everything you are receiving from Cornwall Manor when you become a resident. Home maintenance, taxes, property insurance, health care costs, utilities all adds up! You may be surprised to learn that living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is more cost-effective than remaining in your home.
While living in a nearby 55+ Community, many of my neighbors talked about Cornwall Manor and how well managed the community is. I visited several retirement communities in Lebanon County and was impressed with Cornwall Manor’s beautiful wooded grounds, the friendly and helpful staff, and the quality of the apartment that I eventually moved into. It was important to me to have the continuum of health care available in addition to other services like transportation, a maintenance-free lifestyle, activities, volunteer opportunities and the numerous wellness initiatives. Many of these amenities and services are not offered at 55+ communities!
INTEREST: Bicycling, Manheim Central Football (Barry): Reading, Cooking (Gini); Spending Time with Grandchildren, Exercising, Traveling, Wine, Being with Friends (Both)
Barry & Gini Badger
We are so blessed to live at Cornwall Manor. There are many reasons why we chose Cornwall Manor, but once we moved here, we were surprised by the things we did not anticipate. We both have led active lifestyles but we did not expect the improvements in our health by having so many recreational opportunities close by. The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is steps from our front door and we have hiked the trail much more than we thought we would. Barry has become an avid bicyclist with several of our Woods neighbors and we have found the Wellness Center encourages regular exercise and is an excellent way to develop friendships. Moving here in 2017, we knew we would make new friends, but the strong sense of community and faith, caring for one another and intriguing neighbors from all walks of life have exceeded our expectations.
Cornwall Manor is a lovely community that features a mix of historic and new buildings with modern amenities on wooded grounds. The community’s natural setting is ideal for anyone who loves nature and also wants to be close to shopping and professional services. There are many conveniences available on the campus that I enjoy like the fitness center and dining room. Cornwall Manor is pet-friendly and offers plenty of walking space. Walking Benji, my Bichon Frise, is an instant conversation piece, and we are always meeting new people. I am enjoying all that this community has to offer and I have peace of mind knowing that I’ll be taken care of if needed. You can’t put a price on that.
For us, the importance to remain active and healthy is essential as we age. We both love being outdoors gardening, biking, hiking and skiing, so we are delighted that Cornwall Manor offers easy access to numerous outdoor activities, like the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail and many other parks and walking trails in scenic Lebanon County. Additionally, having an onsite Wellness Center with a fitness center, pool and spa, wellness programming and a full-time Wellness Coordinator on staff are also beneficial to us as we feel Cornwall Manor is investing in our health.
The setting here offers a blend of historic buildings and charm on the Buckingham Campus and a warm and friendly neighborhood on The Woods Campus. There is no cookie cutter design and the two wooded campuses complement one another. We enjoy the design and modern amenities of our Woods home and how the neighborhoods are placed into the landscape.
Living at Cornwall Manor allows us to be close to our daughters, contribute back to the community through volunteer opportunities and we enjoy the new friendships we have made since becoming residents. It is also a better use of our personal energy as we are relieved from the responsibility of upkeep, maintenance and the financial unpredictability of home ownership. Don’t wait. Move while you can enjoy everything the community has to offer.
WHO: Retired College Administrator (Performing Arts)
INTEREST: Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre); Animal Welfare and Pets; Reading and Writing; Biking and Horseback Riding; Travel
Karen Wagner
In 1991, I visited a former teacher residing in Corson Hall (personal care) and was struck by Cornwall Manor’s beautiful wooded campus, with walking paths and lush greenery. From 2005 to 2010, my mother lived at Cornwall Manor, beginning in independent living, then transitioning to the Health Center. During this time, I was able to witness all three levels of care available at Cornwall Manor, and to see the value and practicality of being in a continuing care retirement community. When it came time to consider my own retirement destination, Cornwall Manor was high on my list, not only for its idyllic setting and caring community, but also for its warm welcome to pets, and its accessibility to the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail, for biking as well as horseback riding. Cornwall Manor provides a worry-free lifestyle and a multitude of opportunities for volunteer activity as interests beckon.
I recommend you do some homework. Make a list of pros and cons for each community you are researching. Ask questions. Speak to current residents. The marketing team was very patient and gracious, setting up visits and answering my myriad questions. Meeting with residents only confirmed my confidence in making Cornwall Manor my home – a very happy decision for me (and my two cats).
WHO: Retired from Health & Human Services (John); Banking (Linda)
INTEREST: Walking, Swimming, Shooting Pool (John); Reading, Knitting, Gardening (Linda)
John & Linda Boudman
We realized it was time to downsize into a home that would be worry free with no maintenance and continuing care. Our first visit to Cornwall Manor was to attend an open house. We were living in Hershey at the time, so the location was good for us; near family and friends and we were able to maintain our church membership. The size of the community appealed to us – not too small and not too large. The staff is friendly, there are many activities and opportunities for social engagement and a continuum of care right on the campus. Established in 1949, Cornwall Manor is financially stable and offers many services and amenities. The campus is beautiful and we are very happy with our decision to move here.
Please check out our 30 second video that showcases our beautiful Cornwall Manor community and hear from residents why they love living at Cornwall Manor!