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For seniors, soup is an ideal comfort food. It is delicious, filling, and easy to digest. When made in a healthy way, soups are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. If you are looking for healthy soup recipes, here is a useful read for you. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Chennai, we have curated a list of soup recipes that are easy to make, delicious, and ideal for seniors:    1. Butternut squash soup:    Ingredients:   2 tablespoons olive oil (or any neutral vegetable oil)  1 onion, chopped ½ teaspoon pink salt 1 butternut squash, peeled, and chopped 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced  ½ tablespoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 3 to 4 cups of vegetable broth Freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon coriander, chopped     How to make it?     Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and ginger and garlic. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the squash and cook until it becomes soft. Add rosemary and salt. Stir and cook for one minute then add 3 cups of the broth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook it until the squash is soft. Put it in a blender after it cools down. Blend until smooth. If your soup is too thick, add 1 more cup of vegetable broth and blend. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with coriander.  2. Lentil soup    Ingredients:    2 to 3 tbsp oil  1 medium onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped  3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons cumin powder  1 teaspoon curry powder 2 to 3 diced tomatoes 1 cup lentils (of your choice)  4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups water Salt and black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoons lemon juice    How to make it?    Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and carrot and cook until they are soft. Add garlic, cumin and curry powder. Add diced tomatoes and cook until they are soft. Add lentils, vegetable broth, water and salt. Season the mixture with freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer the flame and cool for 20 minutes or until the lentils are soft and cooked. Let the mixture cool down. Blend in a mixer grinder until smooth. Pour the blended soup back into the pot and cook for 5 more minutes. Before serving, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and season it with salt and pepper (if needed).  3. Mushroom soup    Ingredients:    Butter 1 onion, chopped 1-2 garlic cloves, minced  250 gm mushrooms, sliced 2 tbsp plain flour 400 ml milk  450 ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander    How to make it?    Melt the butter in a pot over a low flame. Add chopped onion and garlic cloves. After 2 to 3 minutes, add the mushrooms to the pot and stir well. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Remove the pot from the heat and add the stock a little at a time. Stir continuously. Add the stock and place the pot again on the stove. Bring it to a boil. Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Stir in the chopped coriander and add freshly ground black pepper to taste.    Looking for senior citizen retirement homes in Chennai with dining facilities? Explore our retirement communities   At our senior citizen homes in Chennai, we ensure that the food served is healthy and nutritious. The menu is designed by a team of nutritionists who keep the nutritional needs of our residents in mind.  Hygiene is maintained in the kitchen and food service area. The F&B team organises regular meetings with our residents to seek their feedback. To know more about the services and facilities offered at our senior citizen homes in Chennai, call us at +91 8884555554.

Summer brings warm weather and for many people it is the perfect time to go out and enjoy the warmth. However, excess summer heat can be rough for seniors as they are vulnerable to suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. However, this does not mean summers have to be drab and dull for seniors. There are many fun-filled activities that seniors can enjoy with family and friends while staying indoors. As one of the leading senior living communities in India, we share with you a list of amazing indoor summertime activities for seniors:    Start an indoor garden: Gardening is a great low-impact physical activity for seniors. Also, growing plants and caring for them can have a calming and therapeutic effect on seniors. Growing plants in a balcony or terrace is a great opportunity for seniors to be creative and have fun. To make gardening less physically stressful, seniors can try vertical planting as it requires minimal bending and kneeling.  Traditional board games and card games: There are many indoor games that seniors can play with their friends and family. Scrabble, Bingo, Monopoly, Bridge, Crossword puzzles, and Word search puzzles are some of the indoor games that help seniors socialise and enjoy friendly competition with other players.  Art and craft: Seniors can pursue a new hobby or a craft project. They can paint, start quilting, or even join an online cooking class to learn making new cuisines. These activities not only help seniors nurture their creativity, but also help seniors feel a sense of accomplishment.  Exercise: Seniors can exercise at home with friends and family members. Yoga, dancing, Zumba, or chair exercises can be easily done indoors. They can also join an online exercise class where they will be guided by qualified instructors. Join a book club: Joining a book club is a great way for seniors to keep their mind active while avoiding the summer heat. They can join a local book club where they can share their thoughts, discuss new authors, and learn something new from other members.    Looking for senior living projects with an active and engaging social calendar?  Social opportunities are one of the biggest reasons why seniors move to retirement homes. Our retirement homes in India offer a wide range of activities to residents – there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Our social calendar includes yoga classes, music lessons, movie nights and aerobics sessions, and special cultural events. To know the retirement home cost, call us at +918884555554. 

Unfortunately, financial scams targeting the elderly have become quite common these days. Financial scams rob seniors of their savings, retirement funds, and even pension benefits. Phishing is one of the common ways to steal a senior’s personal information and use it for unscrupulous activities. As one of the leading gated communities in Bangalore, we share with you a few useful insights on phishing and how seniors can protect themselves:    1. Phishing is the most common internet scams: Phishing is one of the oldest tricks cybercriminals have up their sleeves. The phishing attacks are usually carried out through emails, but they can also be done through text messages, social media accounts, voicemail, and even phone calls. 2. It steals personal information: The objective of a phishing attack is to steal sensitive personal information, such as bank details and credit card numbers. Scammers send emails, text messages, or social media messages pretending to be a friend, colleague, or an employee of a reputed organisation. The scammers send messages to seniors where they are asked to visit websites that appear to be legitimate but in reality, are fake. These websites are designed to steal a victim’s personal and financial details. 3. Phishing attacks have a bait-led approach: Scammers use a carefully crafted pitch to lure seniors to click a link, download an attachment, or provide specific personal information. Some of the common pitches are:  A plea for help: Scammers send an email pretending to be a good friend or relative and ask for financial help. A lucrative offer: Seniors are often lured into revealing financial details by scammers who tell them they have won a lottery, a travel package deal, or free travel tickets. They ask them to provide sensitive personal details to claim the reward.  Creating a sense of fear: Taking advantage of seniors’ vulnerability, scammers inform them that their bank account has been compromised: To fix the problem, they will have to click a link and confirm the bank account information.   4. Telltale signs of a phishing email or text message: Though scammers are continuously changing their modus operandi to evade detection, here are some red flags to watch out for: An offer seems too good to be true Shortened or misspelt website links Emails with poor grammar and spelling Direct requests for payment Requests to confirm personal information   As one of the leading gated communities in Bangalore, we urge seniors to be wary of such scams.      Live in Bangalore and looking for retirement homes?      If you are searching online with phrases such as ‘retirement homes near me’ or ‘senior activities near me’, explore our premium gated community in Bangalore. In addition to senior-friendly apartments, the gated community will offer outstanding amenities such as a clubhouse, business centre, open-air swimming pool, fitness centre, yoga deck, spa, and salon. To know the average cost of the retirement home, book a virtual tour or call us at +91 8884555554.

“All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”  -Swami Vivekananda, spiritual leader    The concept of spiritual awakening has been around for centuries. Spiritual awakening happens when you start looking at your life from a new perspective. In simple words, it is a journey of living a life with purpose and meaning and embracing yourself exactly as you are. Spiritual awakening is also called nirvana, enlightenment, or bliss. Often when people grow older, spirituality becomes a very important part of life. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Bangalore, we share with you a few useful insights on spiritual awakening:    Analyse your beliefs: One of the most important things to do is to be conscious of and intentional about what you believe. Explore your spiritual core and analyse your inner thoughts. Doing this is important to consciously acknowledge your yearnings and  curiosity. Reading spiritual books can help you answer some of the most important spiritual questions such as  Who am I?  What is my purpose?  What do I value most?    Answering these questions will lead you down to a road of self-exploration.    Experience inner peace through meditation: Meditation is one of the most effective spiritual practices you can try whenever and wherever you want. Sitting at one place and focusing on your breath can be a bit difficult at first but with regular meditation sessions it can become a habit. The benefits of meditation practice are numerous. Besides helping you calm down and connect with the supreme being, it has been found that meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety.    Try yoga: Yoga can help improve your spiritual wellness. Yoga involves intense asanas, stretching, and deep breathing which promote mindfulness. Experts suggest that mindfulness can cultivate greater awareness, consciousness, and improved quality of life. Making yoga a part of your lifestyle will foster a stronger relationship with your spiritual wellness.    Connect with community: For different people, spiritual wellness can have different meanings. For some, it can be connecting with others. If you are one of them, you can volunteer at a local charity or attend cultural gatherings to improve your spiritual health.    Want to know more about premium community living for seniors in Bangalore?    Explore our premium senior citizen homes in Bangalore that will help seniors lead a fulfilling retirement life. Our retirement home will have a clubhouse, open-air swimming pool, rooftop bistro, restaurants, fitness centre, spa, and salon. To know more about our retirement home facilities, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour.

It is common to seek comfort in food items such as desserts and fried snacks. But do you really think sugar-laden, fatty foods will lift your spirits? If you think so, here is a useful read for you. It has been found that eating junk food can worsen a person’s mood. On the other hand, eating healthy food is not just good for your waistline, but also for your mood. According to a study, healthy eating patterns, that include certain foods, are associated with better mental health.  As one of the leading senior living communities in Kanchipuram, we share with you a list of foods that can boost your mood:      Nuts and seeds: High in plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and fibre, nuts and seeds are not just crunchy, filling, and nutritious, but also serve as excellent mood boosters. Almonds, peanuts, and walnuts, as well as pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds, are excellent sources of amino acids which are responsible for producing serotonin, a mood-boosting hormone. When you are feeling hunger pangs in the evening, grab a handful of nuts and seeds instead of having unhealthy snacks.    Note: Nuts and seeds are high in calories and must be eaten in moderation.    Whole grains: When you eat bread, pizza, and fried snacks such as samosas and kachoris, not only are you consuming copious amounts of oil but also refined flour. According to a study, foods that are high in refined carbs have a negative impact on your mood. Fresh fruits: The more fruits you eat, the lower your risk of depression. According to a study,  intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of depression. A bowl of fruits makes for a great breakfast or evening snack. Dark chocolate: Chocolate is rich in many mood-boosting compounds. Dark chocolate with high concentrations of cocoa can have positive effects on your mood. It has been found that cocoa helps improve mood and mental fatigue, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular functioning in healthy adults.    Note: Dark chocolate that has 70% cocoa is good for health. Milk chocolate that contains added ingredients such as sugar and fat is bad for physical and mental health.     Fermented foods: Fermented foods such as kimchi, yoghurt, kefir, and kombucha may improve gut health and mood. Fermentation allows live bacteria to thrive in foods. During this process, probiotics are created. According to a study, these live microorganisms can help increase serotonin levels and thus improve mood.    Looking for gated communities in Kanchipuram?    Explore our senior living community in Kanchipuram. Spread over  1.8 acres of open space, our senior living community comes with access to fantastic amenities and services. To know the average cost of a retirement home per month and other details, call us at +91 8884555554.

For seniors, their home is their sanctuary. It is the place where they sleep, relax, and host get-togethers. A thoughtfully designed home can help seniors live in comfort. An important factor that influences the interior design of a home is the colour scheme. Colour harmony is created when colours in a scheme work well with each other. As one of the premium senior citizen homes in Bangalore, we share with you a few useful insights on creating colour harmony for your home:    Understand the fundamentals of a colour scheme: A colour scheme consists of a combination of colours. By pairing different colours together, endless colour palettes can be created. To choose the right colour scheme, you must understand the different moods that each colour scheme evokes. Types of colour schemes: To know how to create colour harmony in your house, you have to first zero in on the right colour scheme. Once you have done that, you can search for paint inspirations online or in architectural magazines. Here are some of the common types of colour schemes:  Monochromatic colour scheme: This scheme focuses on a single colour. It uses various hues of the single colour to create contrasts. White, grey, or black are some of the popular choices for a monochromatic colour scheme. It is timeless and trendy. When done right, it can make the house look elegant and sophisticated.  Analogous colour scheme: This colour scheme has three colours that border each other in the colour wheel. This colour scheme starts off with a base hue and is extended with two adjoining hues. The word “analogous” means closely related. Together these shades create a harmonious appeal. For instance, in a living room, the walls can be yellow whereas the furnishing can be muted green.  Triadic colour scheme: This scheme has colours that are placed equidistant from each other on the colour wheel, forming a triangle. Though the colour scheme lends a colour appeal to the home, it can be a little difficult to achieve.  Neutral colour scheme: A neutral colour scheme has gained a lot of popularity of late. It typically consists of hues of white, grey, and black  along with other neutral colours such as such beige, tan, and brown.  How to choose a colour scheme: When it comes to creating colour harmony in your home, there are many factors to be considered. Some of them are:  Personal taste: If you like clean and crisp lines, monochromatic colour scheme and neutral colour scheme can be good choices. For a bolder look, the triadic colour scheme is perfect. The analogous colour scheme can work well to give an ombre effect.  Lighting: Both natural light and artificial light should be considered when choosing colour for a space. They can make the room look different at different times of the day.    Looking for premium senior citizen homes in Bangalore?    Explore our senior living community in Bangalore – it will offer you an great retirement lifestyle. The community will have a swimming pool, theatre , café, dining area, library, spa, and other amenities to help you enjoy your golden years to the fullest. To know more about the senior living community and the average cost of retirement home per month, book a virtual tour or call us at +91884555554.

Different wavelengths of light appear differently to the eyes. Shorter wavelengths are blue or violet, and longer wavelengths appear red. These days, blue light is often talked about in the mainstream media  as exposure to artificial blue light has gone up dramatically because of  the widespread use of electronic devices. Should you be worried about artificial blue light? To know the answer, read the following useful insights on blue light curated by one of the leading retirement homes in Puducherry:  1. Common sources of blue light include: Sunlight is the main source of blue light. Natural blue light is beneficial during the day as it boosts attention, reaction times, and mood. Common sources of artificial  blue light are:  Fluorescent lights  LED lights  Smartphones Televisions Computer screens Tablets E-readers Video games 2. Blue light can affect the eyes: Often many people experience discomfort after staring at digital screens for hours. Blue light can be one of the reasons behind the digital eye strain. It has been found that when people use digital devices, they tend to blink less. Fewer blinks can mean less moisture. This may cause: dry eyes sore or irritated eyes tired eyes headaches 3. Blue light suppresses sleep-inducing hormones: At night, blue light tricks the brain into thinking that it is still daytime, disrupting circadian rhythm. This leads to fragmented sleep.  4. Reducing blue light exposure:  Here are some tips to reduce blue light exposure and protect your eyes:    Reduce screen time: Take regular screen breaks.  Stop using electronic devices before bedtime: Set an alarm that reminds you to turn off electronic devices 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Get new glasses: Computer glasses with special lenses can lower blue light exposure. They can filter blue light and reduce digital eye strain.  Use a filter. Add a screen filter to your smartphone, tablet, and computer.    Looking for retirement homes in Puducherry that promote positive ageing?  If you live in Puducherry and are searching online with phrases such as ‘gated communities for 55+ near me’ or ‘retirement homes near me’, explore our senior living communities. Beautiful lakes and greenery surround the retirement homes. Trained in-house 24X7 staff takes care of everything from daily meals to maintenance so that residents enjoy their golden years to the fullest. To know the retirement home monthly cost, call us at  +918884555554.

Accepting your emotions and developing self-empathy are an important process of emotional healing.  Powerful stories about accepting one’s true self can be quite motivating for seniors. If you are looking for inspiring and uplifting movies that put you in a positive state of mind, we have got you covered. As one of the leading senior retirement homes in Chennai,  we share with you a list of movies on emotional healing for seniors:     Dear Zindagi: The film is about a girl who is going through anxiety attacks and insomnia. During her tough times, she seeks help from a psychiatrist. It is the wise words of the psychiatrist that help the girl overcome her fears and accept herself the way she is.  Silver Lining Playbook: It is one of the best movies when it comes to portraying accurately the challenges of serious mental illness. Emotionally heavy, this film is about a man whose untreated bipolar disorder costs him both his marriage and job. The film is a beautiful take on how mental illnesses do not define a person – he or she can  still find love, and more importantly, find strength within themselves to accept themselves as they are.  Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: The film takes the audience on a deeply personal and emotional journey. Based on a true story, the film chronicles the spiritual journey that the protagonist embarks after her divorce. The film has some interesting quotes on life, spirituality, and emotional healing.   Queen: The film is about a girl who gets left at the altar and decides to go on her own honeymoon alone. The film in a beautiful way portrays that emotional healing can be uncomfortable but at the same time liberating. One needs to step into the unknown and discover their true self.    Looking for senior retirement homes in Chennai?   If you are searching online with phrases such as ‘retirement flats for sale near me’ explore our retirement homes in Chennai.  Our senior living communities are designed for seniors who wish to spend their golden years without any worries while pursuing their passions. From yoga classes and group outings to art and craft sessions, our retirement homes host a wide range of activities to encourage seniors to stay physically and mentally active. To know more about our vibrant retirement homes, call us at +918884555554

Lighting plays a very important role in creating the right ambience. An overlooked feature, lighting can completely transform your home from a dull and uninviting space to a vibrant and welcoming one. For an ageing pair of eyes, the right lighting can make the home not just welcoming but also improve the quality of life. As one of the premium retirement homes in Bangalore, we share a few useful tips on how seniors can use lighting to create the right ambience in homes:    1. Embrace lighting layers: When you are creating a lighting plan for your home, it is important to acquaint yourself with three basic types of lighting: Ambient lighting: Also known as general lighting, it is used to brighten up spaces uniformly. The sources of ambient lighting are chandeliers and ceiling lights.  Task lighting: If you love reading, knitting, quilting, painting, and participating in other skill-based activities that require focus and hand-eye coordination, install the right task lighting fixtures. Task lighting is used to illuminate a particular area to help you get your work done with clarity. A desk lamp is a source of task light.  Accent lighting: This kind of lighting accentuates high points of your home and creates the desired mood. Use spotlights or downlights to highlight photos, artefacts, artwork, plants, or bookshelves. Accent lighting adds a glow, making the room look cosy.    2. Increase ambient light levels: With age, the eyes need more light to see things clearly. Ambient light illuminates the entire room.  An ambient light source can be a chandelier or a tube light that disperses light all around the room.     Note: Besides adding more light fixtures, introduce mirrors, to amplify artificial and natural light.   3. Add dimmers: Installing dimmers on lighting fixtures gives you complete control over the amount of light you want. Keeping the light low for movie nights gives you the theatre experience and turning it up while reading increases convenience.    Looking for senior homes in Bangalore? If you are looking for premium living spaces in Bangalore and searching online with these phrases ‘active senior living communities near me’, explore our senior living community in Bangalore. Our premium living spaces are aesthetically designed and ensure optimal comfort.  We have four different apartment sizes for you to choose from. Our senior homes in Bangalore will have a clubhouse, rooftop bistro, restaurants, and swimming pool. To know more, book a virtual tour or call us at +918884555554.

For many, life after retirement can be a little uncertain. With children moving away and absence of a structured day, many seniors face problems in dealing with feelings of isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty. Reading books on self-care and mental well-being can help seniors cope with difficult situations. Here we share with you a list of interesting books on self-care and mental well-being:    Detox Your Thoughts by Andrea Bonior    Negative thoughts not only make people anxious, but they also kill their confidence. The author, a clinical psychologist, shares a few practical techniques that people can put into practice to understand their negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness are some of the techniques discussed in this book. Seniors trying to cope with negative thoughts will find this book quite helpful.    When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön    Written by renowned spiritual teacher Pema Chödrön, this best-selling book offers a wide range of techniques to cope with daily stress and challenge. From meditation to self-compassion,  from breathing techniques to mindfulness, the book offers many techniques to develop a deeper appreciation for living in the moment.    Everyday Vitality: How to Thrive, Survive, and Feel Alive by Samantha Boardman    Everyday life can be stressful. Mindless busyness can take a toll on mental well-being. To make it through daily busyness and find peace amidst chaos requires cultivating resilience. This book deals with making peace with daily stresses of life.    Emotional First Aid by Guy Winch    This is an excellent book on taking mental health seriously. For physical injuries such as bruises and cuts, people have a first-aid box at home. Similarly, people need first aid for emotional wounds such as loneliness, rejection, loss, trauma, and guilt. The author offers detailed and doable instructions on dealing with these difficult emotions. From accepting difficult emotions to forgiving those who have caused the hurt, from shifting perspectives to getting out of the rut, this book is an interesting read  on mental well-being for seniors.    Looking for the best retirement homes in South India?    Explore our senior citizen housing communities to live a fulfilling life as you age. Our vibrant retirement communities focus on promoting holistic senior living. Our retirement homes are designed to ensure that our residents enjoy a worry-free retirement lifestyle. Our senior living communities promote physical and mental well-being through a wide range of amenities. To know more about our services, call us at  +918884555554.