Wellness

At Cornwall Manor, we believe it is important to nurture the body, mind and spirit. To accomplish this, we offer a variety of indoor and outdoor fitness activities and programming to help customize your wellness program.

Fitness Center

The Fitness Center is located in the Wright Family Wellness Center and includes Keiser strength training equipment that uses air power to provide quiet, comfortable resistance for relaxed, safe fitness training. Additional equipment includes treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical cross trainers, rowing machine, free weights and recumbent bikes. The fitness center is available for Cornwall Manor residents and staff only; community use is not permitted. Click here for a 360 virtual tour of the Wright Family Fitness Center.

Indoor Swimming Pool, Therapeutic Spa & Aquatic Classes

The swimming pool at Cornwall Manor’s Wright Family Wellness Center is used for the Arthritis Aquatic Program, aqua aerobics and open swims. The pool measures 25’ wide by 50’ long, is 3.5’-5’ deep and has a water powered swim lift to assist less mobile members in and out of the pool. The water temperature is maintained between 87 and 90 degrees and the pool is endorsed by the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. The relaxing therapeutic spa seats 6-8 people and is kept between 97-99 degrees. Wide steps and a secure hand rail provide easy access in and out of the spa. The swimming pool, spa and aquatic classes are available for Cornwall Manor residents and staff only; community use is not permitted.

Wellness Classes

Residents can choose from a variety of wellness classes like Band Together, Gentle Yoga, Chair Yoga, Gentle Strength Training, Tai Chi and Zumba. These classes take place in the Manypenny Recreation Center (located on the lower level of Zerr Chapel). The monthly recreation schedule is listed below.

Wellness Activities

Residents playing lawn games

Additional wellness activities are available year round at Cornwall Manor. There are outdoor bocce courts and horseshoe pits on the Buckingham Mansion grounds and bocce can also be played in the Manypenny Recreation Room during the winter months. The Manypenny Recreation room also offers games on the Nintendo Wii (like bowling, tennis, etc.), dance lessons/classes and darts. Shuffleboard and table tennis are also available on the Buckingham Campus.

 

LifeTrail Stations

LifeTrail is a low-impact, functional fitness, outdoor wellness system created to help older adults stay fit, prevent injury, and maintain an independent lifestyle. There are 10 LifeTrail stations along a walking trail on the Buckingham Campus. Each station works a different area of the body. LifeTrail was developed by Playworld Systems in conjunction with Penn State staff who specialize in gerontology, kinesiology and recreation. Cornwall Manor was the first retirement community in the country to install LifeTrail on their Buckingham Campus.

Read the Blog Post: LifeTrail at Cornwall Manor: Outdoor Fitness Stations

Bishop Park

Situated on the Buckingham Campus, Bishop Park allows residents to perfect their golf stroke at the putting green or enjoy the outdoor seating area with tables with neighbors and friends.

Wellness Center Club Room

Residents playing pool

The Wellness Center Club Room features two billiards tables, game tables for cribbage, cards, puzzles and board games; a flat screen TV and kitchen area. Men, women’s and just-for-fun billiards leagues play in the Club Room.

Read the Blog Post: Cribbage Makes its way to Cornwall Manor

Click here for a 360 virtual tour of the Wellness Center Club Room.

Lebanon Valley Rail Trail & Walking Paths

Resident riding a bike

The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail was created from the former Cornwall-Lebanon Railroad built by Robert H. Coleman in the 1880’s and The Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail currently extends from the City of Lebanon south 15 miles to the Lancaster County line, passing through the communities of South Lebanon, Cornwall Manor, Mt. Gretna, Colebrook and Lawn. Cornwall Manor’s Buckingham and Woods campuses offer several outdoor walking paths. Both the Rail Trail and walking paths offer opportunities for walkers, bikers, runners and bird watchers. Cornwall Manor also has indoor walking routes to keep your heart rate up during the colder months. Click here for a 360 virtual tour of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail (this section of Rail Trail intersects Cornwall Manor’s Buckingham and Woods campuses).

Read the blog post: Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Expands

Annual Senior Games

The last two weeks of August are designated for the annual senior games at Cornwall Manor, which features 25-30 different physical and mental activities for residents to compete and medal in. No prior experience is needed, which allows all residents to participate and try new activities. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2023 Senior Games! This year, 96 medals were awarded!

 

Meet our Recreation & Fitness Coordinator

Melissa Rodriquez joined the Cornwall Manor team in June 2022 as a Health Center Activity Aide and transitioned to her new role in December 2023. She is a graduate of Millersville University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and is currently working towards achieving her Activity Director Certification from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), the leading certification for person-centered care and quality of life. Melissa and her family live in nearby Mt. Gretna. Melissa enjoys gardening, birding and reading.

Recreation Calendars

Pair of running shoes

Recreation Calendar: The fitness center and pool/spa are open for Cornwall Manor residents.

March 2024 Recreation Schedule

Learn More on our Blog

Read more about Cornwall Manor’s wellness-minded residents on our blog. Click on the link to hear their stories!

 

 

 

Why Is It Important to Stay Physically Active?

An active lifestyle is important for anyone at any age, but especially for older adults. Some people believe they can pack up their running shoes and swimsuit once they reach a certain age. However, exercising and staying active will help you maintain a higher quality of life, keep you more optimistic and upbeat, and even help you live longer.

The process of aging impacts your body tremendously, from the loss of muscles mass and agility to increased body fat and a higher risk of injury. As little as three hours of exercise a week has incredible benefits for you as you get older, such as:

  • Reduced risk of developing disabilities or chronic conditions
  • Increased mobility, balance and flexibility
  • Helps maintain a balanced weight
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Positive impact on both the heart and brain
  • Supports thinking skills
  • Makes it easier to do things you want to do
  • Helps in the treatment of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis

Health and Wellness Tips for Active Seniors

As you get older, it’s important to think ahead before engaging in activities that could put a strain on your body. This is especially true if you’re trying out a type of exercise you’ve never participated in before. Your doctor will know if there is any activity that isn’t good for you, particularly if you have a chronic condition.

Here are some tips that will ensure your transition into a more active lifestyle is smooth and safe:

  • Safety first: Whether it’s an exercise machine or an aerobics class, chances are good there are guidelines associated with that activity. Make sure you understand any safety precautions ahead of time, and be sure to follow the rules.
  • Stay comfortable: Wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable.
  • Set Goals: Set both short-term and long-term goals for yourself. For example, in the short term, maybe you want to exercise 30 minutes every day, but long-term you’d like to be able to walk two miles without losing your breath. Just make sure all your goals are realistic to your own circumstances.
  • Exercise in your regular routine: You don’t have to hit the fitness center to stay active. Just rethink the way you go about your day. Take a walk after lunch instead of watching TV, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. There are countless opportunities every day to physically engage your body.

Activities

Although you don’t have to limit yourself to certain activities, some exercises lend themselves to older adults. Some of the activities we find our residents enjoying include:

  • Aerobic group classes
  • Dancing
  • Strength and weight training
  • Swimming and water aerobics
  • Tai chi and yoga
  • Brisk walks

Customize Your Own Wellness Program at Cornwall Manor

At Cornwall Manor, we want to ensure you have ample opportunities to stay active with our many wellness activities. We believe that this adds to the overall happiness of our residents. There are many wellness activities to choose from, so you will always have the opportunity to try something new — like a new skill or exercise you really wanted to try but never had the chance.

Contact us or call 717-273-2647 to find out how living at Cornwall Manor can help you optimize your health and wellness.