Building Wellness and Community at The Manor at York Town

Located in picturesque Bucks County, PA, The Manor at York Town combines the ambiance of a boutique hotel with all the conveniences found in a top-tier independent living community. Along with an intimate restaurant-style dining room, a coffee shop, a movie theater, and the happy-hour-friendly Club Room, The Manor offers residents plenty of ways to keep moving. There’s shuffleboard, a bocce court, a heated indoor pool that’s open year-round, a fitness center, and direct access to Warwick Township Park’s paved walking paths. But the secret to the active, healthy lifestyle residents enjoy at The Manor lies in the fitness programs led by John Miller.

“The stimulation of the exercise is what keeps us healthy, keeps us young, keeps us motivated,” says John. “Exercise works in so many positive ways for people of all ages.”

John has made fitness his life’s mission. After studying exercise physiology for many years, he became a certified personal trainer and nutritional consultant through the National Personal Training Institute. He also holds several certifications from the YMCA credentialing him to work as a personal trainer and nutrition consultant, lead aquatic exercises, and work with children with special needs. John also served as a physical therapy assistant before coming to The Manor at York Town, where he’s been an integral part of the community for 21 years.

A fitness program as unique as its residents

“Most communities don’t have a designated fitness director,” says Courtney Gawthrop, Director of Sales & Marketing. “John allows us to have the consistency of the same person doing all the classes, and we’re really lucky to have that.”

John leads daily exercise classes at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. which are focused on strength training, balance and flexibility and cater to a wide range of fitness abilities. He also offers an additional water fitness class on Thursdays in the heated indoor pool. And for those who prefer private sessions, John is available for one-on-one training either in the fitness center or in their apartments.

John’s approach is personalized to each resident. “There’s really no cookie cutter approach when it comes to evaluation and planning a program for someone. It’s based a lot on their health history. What I mainly strive for is functional fitness. I cover all the basics, including balance. We think of balance as number one, but it’s flexibility, it’s agility. If we’re flexible, we can avoid a lot of falls.”

In addition to performing two complimentary fitness assessments a year and ongoing support, John works closely with residents’ medical professionals. Whether someone is recovering from surgery or working out for the first time in their lives, he meets each person where they are on their health and fitness journey, focusing on moves that support their daily activity and help them maintain independence.

“Having the  consistency with the classes, offering the multiple classes, the personal training, the fitness evaluations, it’s a very unique and special thing,” Courtney says.

Wellness programs that blend physical fitness, social participation, and mental engagement

It’s not unusual to hear laughter coming from The Great Room as John cracks jokes while leading a morning class.

“The physical aspect is essential, but the mental and social component is so important,” he says. “We have residents come, sometimes they are on the shy side, and I get them into my classes and the next thing you know they’re buddies with somebody and they’re having dinner with them. That makes everybody feel happy. The fact that they’re thinking about the exercises helps them mentally as well.”

Courtney agrees. “As we get older it’s not just the physical exercise, but it’s the mental aspect too. When you go to John’s class, it’s a social event as much as it is a physical event.”

And for those in The Manor’s Future Resident Club, participating in fitness classes gets them involved with the community well before moving day.

“If desired, John will conduct a fitness evaluation for everyone who joins the Future Resident Club, then they canattend some of his classes,” Courtney says. “It keeps them engaged with the community, with staff and other residents, and allows them to have a good time. When they do move in, they feel that much more comfortable, and their transition is that much easier.”

Whether working on balance and flexibility, laughing with friends, or simply enjoying the camaraderie of a shared class, the residents of The Manor at York Town are reaping rewards that extend far beyond the gym. They are enjoying a holistic approach to wellness that encourages them to live their best lives every day.