Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

“Ageing is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.”  -David Bowie, British singer and songwriter   As people age, it is easy to focus on the not-so-positive aspects of ageing, be it changes in appearance or physical limitations. But not many people realise that ageing can be exciting if they look at the several positive aspects of it. Following are a few positive aspects of ageing that will help you recognise the benefits associated with growing old:   Better life satisfaction: Often ageing is associated with grumpiness. However, this is not true. According to a study, people become more conscientious, emotionally stable, agreeable, and open to new experiences as they age. Priorities are aligned: Younger people are competitive in their professional as well as personal lives. They tend to compare themselves to others, which often results in discontentment. However, as people age, their focus shifts to achieving emotional as well as mental well-being. They look for meaningful activities that add value to their lives. Freedom from professional responsibilities: People in their 30s and 40s spend most of their time fulfilling professional responsibilities, which leaves little time for their family. But, with retirement and ageing, seniors can spend quality time with their spouse, children, and grandchildren. No fear of reinventing oneself: With each passing year, seniors gain experience in how to live well. The years of experience give confidence and wisdom about life and relationships. This gives many seniors the kick to reinvent themselves. They start exploring opportunities to pursue new interests and hobbies.   Embrace positive ageing in the comfort of our retirement homes Our retirement homes are designed to promote positive ageing for senior citizens. Our residents feel right at home without the hassle of maintaining a home. From daily meals to housekeeping, from maintenance to concierge, we take care of everything. We have an active social calendar to help our residents enjoy life-enriching opportunities.  To know more, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour.

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Lady Diana, Princess of Wales   When you are kind to others, not only are you spreading positivity in their lives, but also helping yourself develop a more positive attitude and be happy in life. According to a study, when a group of students were assigned to participate in random acts of kindness, their levels of happiness increased by many folds. Though making the conscious decision to make kindness a habit may seem a bit difficult at first, with time it can become a part of your daily routine.    As one of the leading retirement homes in India that promote positive ageing, we share with you a few tips to make kindness a habit:    Know what kindness means to you:    Kindness can mean different things to different people. For some, kindness could be accepting others as they are whereas for some it may mean being thoughtful of the needs and feelings of others. Understanding kindness can make it easy to practice.    Start with random acts of kindness:    You can take little steps every day to ensure that you are being kind every single day. It could be something as simple as complimenting a friend or leaving the door for the person behind you. The words may seem insignificant but they can make someone’s day.    Spread kindness through a warm smile:    One of the easiest things to do is — smile. Make a conscious effort to smile. Practice smiling at familiar faces and experience positivity. The more you practise smiling, the more it will become a natural reaction rather than a conscious act. It has been found that people who are cheerful have better social relationships as smiling faces communicate an invitation to interact.    Looking for premium retirement homes that help seniors embrace positive ageing? At our senior citizen homes in India, we encourage our residents to embrace the positives of ageing.  By taking care of daily chores and maintenance, we help our residents enjoy their retirement life as they want to. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour.

“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”  —Maya Angelou, writer and civil rights activist   In life, difficult times are inevitable. However, with some effort, you can lift your spirits and be optimistic. As one of the leading premium retirement homes for NRIs, we share with you a few tips to lift your spirits when you are feeling stuck:    1. Practise yoga:   Focussing on your asanas and taking deep breaths can redirect your attention towards the present moment. It has been found that yoga not only reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, but also boosts positive energy.    2. Go on a nature walk:    Whenever you are stressed, taking a short nature walk can be good for your body, mind, and spirit. You can also join a group – it has been found that group walks in nature can have a positive impact on one’s psychological and emotional well-being. So next time, you are heading for a nature walk, take a friend or a family member along.    3. Help someone:    Your mood instantly gets better when you help others. You can start with smaller acts of kindness such as help someone prepare for an exam or volunteer at a local library. This can help you feel better and reduce stressful and negative thoughts.    4. Read uplifting books:    There is nothing like reading a motivating and inspiring book for real comfort.  If you want some good cheer, dive into inspiring books that are funny and heart-warming. You can dedicate 15 minutes to 20 minutes every day to reading inspiring stories.    5. Try something new:   You may experience stressful and negative thoughts because post-retirement days may seem monotonous after a while. If you find yourself in a rut, shake up your routine by trying something new. Visit a local tourist attraction or join hobby classes such as pottery, dancing, or music. It has been found that trying something new is linked to an increase in dopamine, the feel-good hormone, that is responsible for positive emotions.    Looking for premium retirement homes for NRIs? Planning to spend your retirement life back in India? Explore our premium retirement home in Bangalore. The premium retirement home will have senior-friendly apartments, 24X7 security, dining services, fitness centre, spa, salon, and other facilities that will help you live a truly fulfilling life as you age. If interested, you can book a virtual tour or call us at +91 8884555554. To know more about purchase of property by NRI in India, check our NRI Zone.

A healthy gut not only keeps you in a good mood but can also keep chronic illnesses at bay. With age, diversity and amount of gut microbes reduce – as a result, seniors often complain of gut balance issues. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, we share a list of gut-friendly recipes that are delicious and help seniors maintain a good gut balance:  1. Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup   Ingredients   1 onion (preferably white onion)   1 tsp olive oil ½ broccoli, chopped ½ cauliflower, chopped,  4 cups vegetable stock  2 cloves garlic, minced  salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp thyme 2 tbsp basil 1 cup cheddar cheese (optional)    How to make it?    Add the chopped onions and olive oil to a large non-stick pan. Cook on a low-medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour 4 cups of vegetable stock. Then add chopped broccoli and cauliflower. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn the heat off and add the cheddar cheese. Add the thyme and basil. Give it a good stir and let the flavours mix together for a few minutes. Finally, put everything in the blender and blend it. Pour the soup into bowls and season it with salt and pepper.    2. Moong dal khichdi    Ingredients  1/2 cup rice 1/2 cup moong dal  A pinch of turmeric powder 1 teaspoon salt A pinch of asafoetida   For tempering 2 teaspoon ghee 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger 1 green chilli finely chopped 1 large tomato chopped 1/4 cup green peas Salt to taste   How to make it?    Mix the rice and moong dal and rinse it two to three times. Soak it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain the water and set it aside. Add the rice and dal to a pressure cooker and add 4 cups of water. Add salt, turmeric powder, and asafoetida and pressure cook on high heat for at least 3 whistles (maximum 5 whistles). In another pan, heat ghee and add cumin seeds. Once cumin seeds splutter, add chopped ginger and green chilli. Sauté for 30 seconds or so. Pour this over the khichdi. Add salt and adjust to taste. Garnish with coriander. Serve the moong dal khichdi with extra ghee on top.   3.Oats porridge    Ingredients  1/4 cup oats 1 cup milk 1 sliced apple 2 tsp cinnamon powder 1 tbsp flax seeds or chia seeds (toasted) 1 tsp raisins (soaked) 1 tbsp organic honey (Optional)   How to make it?  Soak the oats in water for 10 minutes. In a pan over medium flame, heat up the milk and add sliced apple and cinnamon powder. Once the apple is almost cooked, add the oats and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Garnish it with raisins and flax seeds or chia seeds before serving. If you like your porridge sweet, add honey.    Looking for the best gated community villas in Coimbatore that promote healthy eating ?    At our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, daily meals are prepared keeping the nutritional needs of our residents in mind. The menu is designed by a team of nutritionists. Our F&B team organises regular meetings with our residents to seek their feedback. To know more about the services and facilities offered, call us at +91 8884555554.

Seniors spend a hefty amount of money on medicines and treatments in the hope of improving their health. Unfortunately, sometimes that money goes to unscrupulous companies that make fake claims about health products and treatments. In the digital age, scammers have become tech-savvy. They use tactics that target specific populations, especially seniors  via social media and email. Health scams run rampant on social media sites and messaging apps. If you are thinking about buying a health product online, you should be wary of common online health scams. As one of the leading retirement homes for NRIs, we share with you a few common online health scams:    Ineffective supplements   From COVID-19 and diabetes to cardiovascular diseases, there are many supplements that are marketed to “cure” almost every disease under the sun. Many seniors take dietary supplements to support their health but little do they realise that these supplements are unapproved and have no positive impact on their health. Companies that manufacture these ineffective supplements are making big money by selling their products on social media.     Weight loss products    It is common to come across online ads about losing weight without changing your diet or exercise. Scammers often create websites that look like those of legitimate magazines and news organisations and fill them with fake articles claiming celebrities have achieved amazing results from their weight loss products. Seniors must be wary of such fake weight loss products. When it comes to weight loss, there are no shortcuts. The best way to lose and maintain weight is to exercise and eat a healthy diet.    Miraculous cure    There are many health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and memory loss for which science has no cure. Yet there are companies that make claims that their products can treat or cure such conditions. They even go to the extent of claiming that the government does not want people to know that such “treatment or cure” exists.    Fake anti-ageing vitamins   The online market is flooded with anti-ageing products for hair, skin and nails. Many anti-ageing products that claim to slow down premature ageing do not have sufficient evidence to show they work.    How to protect yourself online from buying poor quality or unsafe vitamins and supplements?    Talk to your doctor before starting any new drugs or supplements. If claims sound too good to be true, they probably are false. Check with your doctor if you can take the specific supplements or medicine,  Choose known brand names.   Look for codes that indicate the product was manufactured in a licensed laboratory. As one of the leading senior living communities in India, we urge seniors to be wary of such scams. If you are looking for retirement homes for NRIs, explore our senior living community designed to international standards. To know more, book a virtual tour or call us at +91 8884555554.

After working hard till a certain age, many NRIs dream of spending their golden years back in India. Having lived abroad for many years, NRIs look for a retirement destination that matches their needs and desires in terms of comfort and convenience.  If you are an NRI buying property in India, here are some of the best Indian cities that can help you enjoy your retirement life to the fullest. These cities have great healthcare facilities, good connectivity, and amazing social life.    Bangalore: Known for its pleasant weather, Bangalore is a great retirement destination where seniors can enjoy retirement life to the fullest. The city has a thriving social life – seniors will love the city’s quaint restaurants, traditional food joints, historical sites, and beautiful parks. The city also has some of the best hospitals. Our premium retirement home in Bangalore is India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards. Some of the amenities offered at our retirement home includes 24×7 security, dining services, swimming pool, fitness centres, spa, salon, 24/7 medical care, home style, nutritious meals, concierge services and more. Coimbatore: Also known as the Textile Capital of the South, Coimbatore is one of the best retirement cities in India. Surrounded by the Western Ghats, the city is blessed with exquisite scenery. The climate remains the same throughout the year. Also, the city has numerous  hospitals, including several multi-speciality hospitals. Our senior living communities in Coimbatore have partnered with local hospitals for round-the-clock medical care of our residents. Puducherry: If you want to enjoy your golden years enjoying the sun, sand, and sea, Puducherry is the place for you. Known for its beautiful beaches, French cafes, and French-styled architecture, Puducherry will offer seniors something to look forward to every day. Our retirement homes in Puducherry are equipped with modern and senior-friendly amenities, high-quality facilities, and 24/7 on-site maintenance support. Chennai: It is for a reason that Chennai is called India’s health capital. International as well as domestic tourists visit Chennai for high quality medical treatment. This is one of the reasons why Chennai lists in the best cities to retire in India. Besides healthcare facilities, the city has a great cultural scene, good infrastructure and connectivity. Our retirement homes in Chennai offer senior citizens an active lifestyle with unique experiences.   Looking for retirement homes in India?    Planning to spend your golden years back in India? Explore our retirement homes in India. Book a virtual tour or call us at +91 8884555554. 

Ageing is inevitable and it is thus important to embrace habits that promote healthy ageing. But, what exactly is healthy ageing and what are the different aspects of healthy ageing? If you are looking for retirement homes with care facilities, here are a few frequently asked questions on healthy ageing and their answers that you might find useful:    Question 1: What is healthy ageing and why is it important?   Healthy ageing helps you manage your physical and mental health, live as independently as possible, and maintain your quality of life as you age. The World Health Organisation defines healthy ageing as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” Many people assume that healthy ageing is being free from illness. But in reality, it is more than that –  healthy ageing is also about spotting early signs of diseases  and addressing them before they get worse. Emotional and spiritual well-being also play an important role in healthy ageing.    Question 2: What are the different aspects of healthy ageing?  As people age, they experience emotional and physical changes. Healthy ageing is about embracing a healthy lifestyle that can help you embrace the changes. Here are a few some aspects of healthy ageing that you should focus on:  Healthy eating  Regular physical activity Maintaining a healthy weight  Being socially active  Keeping the mind active  Participating in activities that you enjoy Playing an active role in your healthcare   Question 3: What are some of the common health challenges faced by seniors?    Some of the common health challenges are:  Falls: Falls are very common amongst older adults. Though falls seem like minor injuries, they often lead to mobility issues which can negatively affect a senior’s physical and mental health.  Depression: Depression is common amongst seniors who are struggling with chronic illness or those who feel socially isolated.    Question 4: Why are older people more prone to depression?  Clinical depression is quite common amongst seniors. Depression is a complex disease. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it can happen for a variety of reasons. These reasons could be life changes such as loss of job or death of a family member.    Question 5: What can be done to encourage social engagement amongst seniors?    Seniors can stay socially engaged by:  Joining a club  Exercising daily with friends  Volunteering at a local charity Joining a hobby class Moving into a retirement community where they can spend time with like-minded people.    Want to know more about community living in Bangalore where healthy ageing is promoted?  We believe in the holistic well-being of our residents. Our retirement communities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing to ensure seniors enjoy their golden years in the company of like-minded people. Our senior living community in Bangalore will have a clubhouse,  bistro, swimming pool, spa, open space for walking, yoga, and aerobics deck so that our residents can embrace a healthy and positive lifestyle. To know more about our community in Bangalore, book a virtual tour or call us at  +91 8884555554.

“An abundance mentality springs from internal security, not from external rankings, comparisons, opinion, possessions, or associations.” – Stephen Covey, author    The term abundance mindset was first coined by Covey in his 1989 best-seller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. A person with an abundance mindset focuses on the positive aspects of life rather than the negative ones. As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we share with you a few tips to develop an abundance mindset:     Train your brain to notice the good: Practising mindfulness can help you notice positive things around you. When faced with challenging situations, focus on the opportunities. Initially, you will have to make a conscious effort to shift your thoughts from the negative aspects of the situations. However, with time and practise, it will become a habit. There are many benefits of positive thinking – it not only helps you feel good about yourself but also reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.  Incorporate gratitude into your daily life: Practising gratitude can add positivity to your life. According to a study, practising gratitude is associated with optimism. It may help in reducing depression and anxiety. Maintain a daily gratitude journal to keep track of the good things in your life. Make it a practice to write down 5 things you are grateful for each day. You can also use gratitude apps for jotting down positive things throughout the day.  Keep your surroundings clean: This may not seem to be the most obvious thing to do when it comes to cultivating feelings of abundance. However, decluttering your home not only keeps your house clean, it also brings clarity in your thinking. As you remove the excess and unwanted things in your life, you focus on the most important things in your life.  Do more of what you love: Doing what you love will make you happy. Many people in their 40s and 50s work on things they are good at but they may not enjoy it fully. Retirement presents  an ideal opportunity to those who want to nurture their passions.    Want to know more about senior community living in Bangalore?    Explore our premium retirement community in Bangalore. The senior living community will have luxurious independent senior living apartments. Also, the community will have an array of amenities such as a clubhouse, open-air swimming pool, outdoor aerobics area, yoga deck, jogging tracks, fitness centre, salon, and spa centre. To know more, book a virtual tour or call us at +918884555554. 

One of the biggest problems seniors faces today is financial fraud. Scamsters use sympathetic, sophisticated, and convincing conversations that sound legitimate to prey upon seniors. Often scammers target seniors who are vulnerable. Seniors who are lonely, who do not have the knowledge of technology, or who are physically disabled are less likely to see through the nefarious scheme of scamsters. It is, therefore, necessary that the seniors are aware of possible scams and protect themselves from scammers.  As one of the leading senior citizen housing communities, we share some useful insights on scams that seniors must know about:    Ponzi scams: After having worked hard for decades, many senior citizens often live on interest on life savings. Therefore, earning better interest rates can be quite tempting. It is here that scammers take advantage of seniors by promising them a substantial high rate of return. In many cases senior citizens lose their life’s savings being lured by such schemes. In such schemes, fraudsters often use money from new investors to pay existing investors. This way they can get existing investors to shell out more money. Property theft: There have been instances where seniors have been duped of their own house. This kind of fraud can be committed both online and offline. When it comes to property theft crimes, often seniors are duped into signing blank papers or property transfer papers. In many cases, seniors are victims of identity theft – where the scamsters steal the senior’s identity and transfer the property to somebody else’s name without the knowledge of the senior. In many cases, close family members or friends are involved in such crimes. False charities: Many seniors like to donate to charities. However, there have been cases where seniors have been duped by false charities through telephone calls or emails. Though fake charities approach seniors all year round, they often become active after disasters such as floods, cyclones, or earthquakes. Phishing and smishing scams: Seniors often get unsolicited emails (phishing) or texts (smishing) asking them to verify personal or financial information by clicking on a link. Seniors might be asked to provide their credit card number, passwords, or OTPs. The link directs the seniors to a website that resembles the real website of a genuine organisation – it even copies the messages, the tone, and logo of the organisation. As a result, seniors trust the website and provide their personal details and financial information. Once the scammers get the information, it is easy for them to steal the identity of the seniors.    As one of the leading senior living communities in India, we urge seniors to be wary of such scams. If you want to know more about our senior living communities, the average cost of retirement home per month, and the services we provide, call us at +918884555554. 

Seeds contain different types of protective and beneficial compounds, including anti-inflammatory vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. Therefore it is important for seniors to include seeds in their daily diet. As one of the premium retirement homes in Bangalore, we have curated a list of nutrient-rich seeds that are loaded with dietary fibre, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.    Chia seeds: Rich in fibre and protein, chia seeds are good for seniors who are diabetic or pre-diabetic. It has been found that fibre in chia seeds may help prevent blood sugar spikes. Rich in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium – chia seeds also promote bone health.  Pumpkin seeds: Roasted pumpkin seeds are a popular snack. Low in calories and high in protein and fibre, pumpkin seeds promote prostate health and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Also, pumpkin seeds are rich in phytosterols that help in lowering blood cholesterol.  Sunflower seeds: Harvested from the flower head of the sunflower plant, sunflower seeds have a distinct nutty flavour and high nutritional value. It has been found that regular consumption of seeds including sunflower seeds can help lower risk of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Sunflower seeds are also good for the immune system as they are rich in zinc – a mineral that plays an important role in helping the body develop innate as well as adaptive immunity.  Flaxseed: Crisp and crunchy, flaxseeds can enhance the taste of almost any recipe. Rich in fibre, flaxseed is also great for digestive health. As flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, it promotes heart and brain health.     How to include seeds in your daily diet? Eat them as it is as evening snacks  Sprinkle seeds on top of your salad  Add it to your cereal, oatmeal, or smoothie    Senior  living community  in Bangalore   If you are considering moving into a senior living community in Bangalore, check our premium retirement home in Bangalore . The retirement community will have trained chefs offering you nourishing home-style  meals, cooked in a hygienic environment. Not just that, our senior living community will also have a yoga and aerobics deck, gym, and swimming pool offering ample opportunities for you to stay physically active. To know more about amenities and services, call us at +91 8884555554 or book a virtual tour.