Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

For seniors who love cooking and spending time in the kitchen, here is a useful read on making the space more accessible and senior friendly. As one of the leading senior living communities in Bangalore, we have curated a list of simple and easy ways to transform a kitchen into a comfortable and safe space for seniors.   1. Fire safety: Kitchen fire is among the leading causes of home fires and, therefore, it is important to take steps to minimise the risk.  Here are some fire safety measures:  Keep the cooktop away from flammable items such as oil, dish towels, curtains and plastic utensils Seniors should not wear loose clothes while cooking Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in the kitchen Exhaust fans and vents must be regularly checked and cleaned Senior-friendly fire extinguishers should be placed in easily accessible locations Buy senior-friendly appliances that come with built-in alarm systems.    2. Fall prevention: Falls are among the leading causes of injuries in seniors. They can result in minor scrapes to hip fractures. Here are a few ways to prevent falls in the kitchen:  Ensure adequate lighting in the kitchen Add non-slip mats near the sink Seniors should wear shoes with non-slip soles while working in the kitchen Spills must be wiped as quickly as possible Leaky taps or appliances must be fixed Install grab bars at different places in the kitchen   3. Organise and declutter the kitchen: The more organised the kitchen is, the safer it is for seniors to use.  Ensure countertops are not cluttered Knives and other sharp objects must be stored carefully Frequently used tools, ingredients, and appliances should be easily accessible Use low storage spaces to keep important items Make sure that the pantry handles open easily Label everything   Senior living in Bangalore: Check our independent senior living apartments At our senior living communities in Bangalore, we offer services and amenities designed to help seniors enjoy their golden years comfortably and safely. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 88845 55554.

Tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches are some of the common headaches that seniors experience. These headaches are often accompanied by symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound; nausea, and pain in the temples. However, headaches in older adults can often lead to far more serious consequences and, therefore, it is important that seniors know how to manage them. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, we share some useful tips for seniors to manage headaches:    Maintain a headache journal: Seniors experiencing frequent headaches must maintain a journal and note down the frequency, duration, and severity of the headaches. Maintaining a journal will help seniors track possible triggers. Eating certain foods, stress, alcohol intake, or lack of sleep are some factors that can trigger frequent headaches.  Identify triggers: Instead of self-diagnosing the problem, seek a doctor’s help. Reviewing the journal with a doctor can help provide clues about what might be triggering the headaches.  Monitor the symptoms: Seniors must remember that headaches are often hard to diagnose. Monitoring the early symptoms can be helpful to seek timely medical assistance.  Follow the treatment plan: Managing headaches may require medication, lifestyle changes, or both. Seniors must follow the doctor’s recommendations. From taking medication on time to ensuring that they are getting enough rest and fluids, seniors can manage triggers and reduce, if not completely avoid, severe headaches.  Maintain a healthy routine: When it comes to managing headaches, sleep and diet also play an important role. Seniors must follow a good sleeping routine – they should avoid screen time before bed and sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Regular mealtimes can help keep headaches, especially migraines, at bay.  Some seniors also find having smaller, more frequent meals better for managing headaches.  Exercise regularly:  Seniors suffering from regular headaches must do some form of exercise, be it yoga, aerobics, or jogging. It has been found that exercise can help people manage migraines. As regular exercise can help regulate one’s sleeping and eating routines, it can be an important factor in managing headaches.    Choose a senior citizen home where you can focus on your well-being  Our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore are designed to ensure the overall well-being of our residents. The day starts with yoga, meditation sessions, and breathing exercises. Also, there are ample opportunities for our residents to unwind and relax. To book a tour of these senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, call us at +91 88845 55554. You can check the list of senior citizen homes in Coimbatore here.

Valentine’s Day is not just for couples – it is for everyone to celebrate. For seniors, it is the perfect day to show love and affection to their spouses, family, and friends. We have rounded up a few fantastic Valentine’s Day ideas for seniors that are sure to fill their hearts with love and joy:   Celebrate with good food: Whether you are celebrating with your spouse or your family, cooking a heart-warming meal is a great way to get the celebration started. If you find cooking tiresome, take your loved ones on a gastronomic journey at your favourite restaurant. Kick off a movie marathon: Pick out your favourite movies that you know your spouse or your family would like, and have a movie marathon. Include classics such as Casablanca, When Harry Met Sally, Mughal-e-Azam, or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Do not forget the popcorn to make the movie-watching experience extravagant. Make it a self-care evening: For some seniors, Valentine’s Day can be a perfect day for self- care. Meditation is a great way to start Valentine’s Day on a positive note. Seniors can take some quiet time to reflect and meditate in the morning. Arrange an at-home spa experience and complete it with candles and calming music. Follow it up with an extravagant dinner. Indulge in hobbies: Pursuing a hobby can give seniors immense pleasure and can make Valentine’s Day extra special. From creating heart-shaped wall hangings, beautiful cardboard photo frames, and knitting heart patterns to baking heart-shaped cakes, there are many hobbies that help seniors and their loved ones enjoy the day thoroughly. Love knows no age at our senior living homes in Chennai We, at Serene Adinath and Serene Pushkar by Columbia Pacific, celebrate love in all its myriad forms and glory. Valentine’s Day at our senior living homes in Chennai is filled with fun and joy. We organise different group activities and contests where residents get opportunities to express themselves through photos, sketches, painting, and writing. To know more about our senior living homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Seniors suffering from high blood cholesterol levels are at a higher risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases or a stroke. As one of the best senior citizen homes in India, we share a few lifestyle changes that can help seniors maintain healthy cholesterol levels:  Exercise regularly:Seniors with elevated cholesterol levels must stay physically active. Jogging, swimming, cycling, and playing tennis are excellent exercises that can increase HDL levels(the good cholesterol) and lower LDL levels (the bad cholesterol). Increasing daily physical activity – be it doing chores around the house or walking while talking on the phone – can also help lower the bad cholesterol levels.  The importance of diet:  Having a heart-healthy diet offers many benefits such as lowered cholesterol and blood pressure levels. To get sufficient vitamins, minerals, and fibre, seniors must eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and consumer fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. They should avoid sugary beverages, salt-laden snacks, and saturated fats such as oil, butter, cheese, and red meat. They can cook vegetables in broth and herbs instead of frying them in oil. Also, they must have almonds, walnuts, and fatty fish that are rich in Omega-3 acids. Before making any changes to their diet, seniors must consult their physicians.  Moderation in alcohol: Heavy drinking can raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Seniors must set a moderate limit and stick to it. Also, they must drink slowly and try to have plain water between drinks.  At our senior citizen homes in India, we conduct routine medical check-ups and ensure that the healthcare needs of our residents are met. We maintain updated medical records of our residents to help them with their diet and wellness plans. At our community dining halls, delicious and nutritious home-style meals are served. All efforts are taken to ensure the food is hygienically prepared and that they meet the nutritional needs of our residents. All our senior citizen homes in India have fully equipped gyms, indoor game rooms, and open green spaces so that our residents can stay physically active and enjoy their golden years to the fullest. To know more about our senior citizen homes, call us at +9188845 55554.

“What you seek is seeking you.” ― Rumi   As people age, they not only seek physical, emotional, and intellectual wellness but also spiritual wellness. But what is spiritual wellness and why does it matter to seniors? Spiritual wellbeing means seeking life’s meaning and purpose and understanding the values, beliefs, and morals that guide your everyday actions. Many studies have found that patients who are spiritual tend to have a more positive outlook towards life than those who are not spiritually inclined. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in India, we share a few insights on activities that can help seniors practise spiritual wellness:  Practise breathing exercises: Meditative breathing exercises help seniors gain awareness of the body. For many, breathing exercises are like a form of silent prayer. The practice of breathing consciously and with intent helps one calm their mind and body.  Be thankful: When seniors look for positivity in everyday things, they add meaning to their lives. For many seniors, being grateful is equivalent to being in a state of bliss. Gratitude allows them to see value and virtue in everything. Keeping a gratitude journal, appreciating family, friends and others for little things, and sending thank you notes to loved ones are some simple ways to look for blessings in life.  Unleash creativity: Spirituality does not have to be a religious pursuit. Creativity is a powerful force that helps a wandering mind to concentrate on a particular thing. Creativity is contemplative awareness that encourages people to pause and think about the mystery of life. Seniors can express themselves creatively through art, writing, dance, pottery, and painting.  Reading spiritual literature: For many seniors, reading spiritual books is an extended part of their daily meditation session.  Feel nature’s bliss: Being out in nature gives one a feeling of pure bliss. It may not be possible for seniors to walk on a beach or go on hiking trips every day. But they can appreciate what they have around them – they can walk in the park and smell the fresh cut grass, admire beautiful flowers, or listen to birds calling out to one another. Our senior citizen homes are designed to encourage physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual wellness. Our senior citizen homes have green open spaces where residents can meditate, practise yoga, and enjoy quiet mornings watching flowers bloom. To know the average cost of a retirement home per month, call us at +91 88845 55554.

As people age, they often experience changes in their sleeping patterns. The disturbed sleep pattern can leave them waking up tired every day. However, poor sleep quality does not have to become a normal part of ageing. It has been proven that through appropriate exercises, seniors can improve their quality of sleep and increase its duration.  As one of the leading retirement homes in Coimbatore, we share with you a few exercises that can help you sleep better:    Yoga: A light-intensity exercise, yoga is an ideal way to start and end your day. There are many restorative yoga poses such as twisted roots pose and sleeping butterfly pose that relieve stress and can help you sleep better. Always consult your doctor before starting a new yoga regimen. Power walking: Regular walking offers myriad physical and mental health benefits, including reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Walking briskly during the day can help improve sleep at night. A study shows that middle-aged adults and older adults who brisk-walk experience better sleep quality. Strength training: You can consider adding strength training exercises to your exercise routine to improve your quality of sleep. A study suggests that basic muscle-strengthening done over a week was associated with better sleep quality. However, avoid intense workouts late in the evening as that may disrupt sleep. A shorter or less intense strength training session before bed can be beneficial for sleep. Seniors with mobility and balance issues can practice sit-down exercises that help build their strength and burn calories. Chair aerobics: Doing chair-based exercises has shown improved sleep quality among the elderly. Seniors who are struggling to sleep can benefit from chair aerobics, which involves rhythmic movements of arms and feet, performed while sitting in a chair. When performing chair-based exercises, always use a sturdy chair with armrests.  Our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore are designed to encourage residents to stay physically active. We have fully equipped gyms, indoor game rooms, and open spaces with tiled jogging paths. Also, at our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, residents participate in yoga sessions, dance classes, and other social activities that blend fun and exercise. To know more about our senior citizen homes, call us at +9188845 55554.

Stress is an inevitable part of life. Sometimes a stressful situation lasts for a moment whereas other times it can prolong for a few days, weeks, or even months. Change in financial circumstances, moving away from grandchildren, deteriorating health of a spouse, or moving to a new place are some of the situations that can lead to stress. However, when stress is not kept in check it can lead to poor physical and mental health. As one of the best retirement homes in Bangalore, we share with you a few tips to surviving stressful times:    Adopt the right attitude: There are many situations you cannot control but you can choose how to respond to it. The attitude you adopt can help you feel more empowered. Examine the situation and determine how you would like to approach it. The right attitude can help you objectively evaluate all options that you have. Change what you can: Even if you cannot change the situation entirely, you can still change some aspects. For instance, if your spouse is unwell, learn more about the condition. This will help you be more in control of the situation. Consider counseling, as it can help you develop coping skills.   Journal your feelings: Take some time to think about the stressful situation you are currently struggling with. Then write a question at the top of the page – it can be anything related to the situation including the aspects you are unsure about. Set your timer for ten minutes and start writing your answer. Write fast and describe your situation in four to five sentences. Do not stop to edit. No one will see your answer, so it does not have to be grammatically perfect. Spilling your thoughts onto a blank page is one of the best ways to express yourself and deal with overwhelming emotions. The answer you write will make things clearer for Image 1 you and help you decide the next steps. Fight stress with healthy habits: When your thoughts are all over the place, it is easy to succumb to unhealthy habits such as stress eating and sacrificing sleep. Adding regular physical activity to your daily schedule can help you reset your mind. Whether it is pilates, yoga, or dance sessions, movement helps you see things clearly and keeps you calm and peaceful.  Get support: Find someone to talk to about your situation. Be with people who make you feel good about yourself. Sometimes just having a friend listen to your problem helps you understand that someone is there for you while you are going through tough times. Looking for the best place to buy a retirement home? Check our retirement homes in Bangalore     Our retirement homes in Bangalore focus on providing an enjoyable and worry-free lifestyle. From daily yoga and meditation sessions to helping residents pursue new passions and make new friends – our senior citizen homes in Bangalore help seniors enjoy every moment of their golden years. Also, there are open green spaces where residents can walk and meditate. We also have an indoor games room in the clubhouse where our residents love to unwind and relax. The 24X7 on-site maintenance team ensures that residents enjoy their retirement years while the team members take care of their comfort and security. To know more about our services and facilities, call us at +91 88845 55554.

Nothing compares to feeling the sun’s warmth on your face. When the sun shines, your mood improves, you feel inspired, and feel more positive and energetic. Also, being outdoors has many positive effects on your physical and mental health. It has been found that seniors who spend time close to nature are most likely to experience better health outcomes and an improved sense of well-being. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we have curated a few benefits of sunshine and fresh air on your overall well-being:  1. Sunshine: Here are some reasons to get outside and enjoy sunshine:  Good for bone health:  Spending time in the sun helps the body make its own vitamin D, which is important for strong bones. Not just that, Vitamin D is also important in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular heart disease, and Type 1 diabetes.  Better sleep routine: Exposure to sunlight helps regularise sleep patterns. The study also indicated that exercise combined with sun exposure can improve physical health and quality of life. Fights depression: Exposure to sunlight increases serotonin levels in the brain which help in staving off symptoms of anxiety and depression. 2. Fresh air: Inhaling fresh air is good for your respiratory health and offers other benefits such as: Improved concentration: Need to focus on something important? Try taking a walk. It has been found that more oxygen results in better concentration.  Lower blood pressure and heart rate: It has been found that exposure to green spaces reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and obesity.    Looking for retirement homes in India with open green spaces?  Our retirement homes in India have open green spaces where our residents can take walks, do yoga, and enjoy time with others. To know the cost of retirement homes in India, call us at +91 88845 55554.

Many seniors are giving retirement a new meaning by defying age constraints and social expectations. A few are pursuing passions that bring them happiness and a sense of fulfillment, while others are volunteering to make a positive impact on society. As one of the leading retirement communities in India,  we share with you the life stories of five inspiring seniors who have transformed not just their own lives but that of others too:     Fauja Singh: At 110, Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathoner, continues to inspire youngsters and seniors. It was at the age of 84 that Singh returned to his passion for running. He has set many world records and has been felicitated by the World Book of Records, London. He is the perfect example of people who are never too old to start a new dream. Though he has retired from competitive running, he continues to run for health and charity even today. John B. Goodenough: Goodenough was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering role in developing lithium-ion batteries. At the age of 97, he became the oldest person ever conferred with a Nobel Prize. His lithium-ion batteries power everything from laptops to smartphones. He was told that most physicists make their major discoveries long before they hit middle age, but went on to defy that notion.  Gogo: For many decades, Priscilla Sitienei, popularly known as Gogo (grandmother) has helped expectant women deliver babies. But she came to the limelight in 2011 when she joined primary school at the age of 90. The whole idea behind her going to school was to encourage young girls to not drop out. She wanted to motivate young girls and especially her granddaughter to study.  Grandma Moses: When people think about starting an art career, it is usually when they are young. But this belief was challenged by Anna Moses, better known as Grandma Moses. She began painting at the age of 78. Her works have been shown and sold worldwide, including in museums, and have been merchandised too. Her autobiography has won numerous awards and she even held two honorary doctoral degrees. Norman Maclean: After his retirement in 1973, Maclean’s children encouraged him to pen down the stories he liked to tell. The result of his writing was his first and only novel, the 1976 best-selling book, A River Runs Through It. The book received widespread acclaim upon its publication and was even nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Letters in 1977. Just like these inspiring individuals, many residents in our retirement communities in India have found their passion in painting, singing, dancing, and photography after retirement. If you are looking for the best place to buy a retirement home, explore our communities that help seniors lead physically and socially active lifestyles. To know more, call us at +91 88845 55554.

Retirement is one of the biggest transitions seniors go through in their lives. However, these golden years of life come with certain fears. Here we discuss some common fears that seniors face, along with tips to help overcome them:    Loss of independence: A common fear that seniors have is that of losing their independence due to health issues or age-related limitations. Living as independently as possible is important for seniors to maintain a high quality of life. Personal safety and security: As people age, their concerns for their personal safety and security grow. Living alone or issues with hearing, vision, or mobility can leave seniors more fearful in their own house. They have fears about break-ins or meeting with an accident at home, with no access to help.  Deteriorating health: It is common for seniors to worry about their health. Not being able to exercise or cook healthy meals can further contribute to the fear.  Lack of routine: Though many seniors look forward to a retired life, they do not know what to do with so much free time. Not having a routine can exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Having a regular routine helps seniors take better care of themselves and form healthy habits.   Increased loneliness: Many seniors lose friends and spouses as they age. Children often move away and become involved with their own lives. With no professional commitments and fewer opportunities for social interaction, seniors often fear social isolation.  Our senior living homes in Bangalore are designed keeping in mind the physical and emotional needs of seniors. At our senior living homes, days are filled with meaningful and relevant activities. There are ample opportunities for seniors to socialise and make friends. We have trained security personnel guarding the gated communities. We use the latest security systems, CCTVs, and firefighting equipment to ensure that our residents are always safe. Each apartment has a panic button to ensure immediate help in case of an emergency. Also, at our senior living communities, routine health check-ups are organised and updated medical records are maintained for residents’ wellness plans. To know the cost of senior living communities, call us at +91 88845 55554 or book a virtual tour.