No one looks forward to retiring and then being wheeled into a nursing home. Instead, most people would rather stay active throughout their lives and enjoy their twilight years.
And Richard Stoneking sees it as his mission to help them to do just that.
“When you think of people aging sometimes you think of putting them in a home,” Stoneking said. “Well, we have people in their 90s here who are line dancing three times a week.”
Stoneking is the owner of Stoneking Physical Therapy and Wellness Center, which has offices in Lambertville and West Trenton. Both offices offer evidence-based physical therapy from doctorate-level physical therapists as well as wellness services and members-only gyms.
Stoneking said his target audience is baby boomers and their parents.
“What we’ve discovered is that there’s a marketplace out there for the older adult,” he said. “The world is full of places for young healthy motivated individuals, but where do they go when they get a little older. Typical gyms can be a little bit intimidating.”
At both offices, exercise physiologists monitor clients, taking vital signs before and after workouts.
Head exercise physiologist Tina VanDermiren said clients get personalized attention in a fun atmosphere.
“It’s more homey,” she said. “There’s more of a personal touch rather than being a mill. You’re going to work with someone one-on-one.”
Stoneking hopes to attract clients directly in addition to those referred to physical therapy by doctors. He said since 2003, clients have been able to go directly to physical therapists without being seen by a doctor, unless their health insurance is an HMO plan.
Stoneking, who grew up in Ewing and lives in Lambertville, opened both offices in 1989 and has been offering wellness services at the Lambertville office for 5 years. Recently, he began offering wellness services at the Ewing location as well.
Stoneking said his practice was different from other physical therapists because he strives to provide evidence-based treatment efficiently and effectively.
“We don’t operate a mill,” he said. “You go to other facilities and perhaps the physical therapist sees you once and turns you over to ancillary personnel to receive treatment. We don’t use extenders of care. We try to strive for continuity.”
His business also reaches out to the community with wellness walks and talks every few weeks at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton and fundraising events, like a 5K run scheduled for April. Stoneking also offers special events like trips to Trenton Thunder games, Wii Bowling tournaments and cooking healthy dinners at Rat’s Restaurant.
Stoneking never imagined doing any of these things in 1979 when he graduated from Penn with a Physical Therapy degree.
“I feel kind of blessed,” Stoneking said. “This profession has given me more than I ever thought it would.”
Stoneking Physical Therapy and Wellness Center’s Ewing office is located at 1230 Parkway Avenue, Suite 205 in Ewing and 333 Main St. in Lambertville. Phone: (609) 883-7528.
Richard Stoneking targets his physical therapy services at baby boomers and their parents. (Photo courtesy of Richard Stoneking.)
