Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

Relaxation techniques help seniors navigate stressful periods – they create a sense of calm, inner peace, and boost one’s mental and physical well-being. As one of the leading retirement homes in India, we share with you some relaxation techniques to help you get started:    Practise yoga and meditation:It has been found that yoga offers a host of therapeutic benefits which include reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Practising yoga also improves sleep patterns and enhances one’s overall well-being. Practise yoga in a quiet and comfortable place because you need to feel every stretch of the body’s movements. Meditation is also a relaxation technique that can take your mind off the distractions and refocus it to help you cope better in stressful situations. There are many relaxing poses that seniors can make part of their daily routine. Seniors should talk to their doctor before starting any new exercise routine, including yoga and meditation.  Spend more time in nature: There are a number of studies that show that spending time in nature can help you achieve physiological relaxation and stress recovery. These studies suggest that the sight of plants, trees, herbs, and flowers can uplift your mood and help you relax.  Meet old friends: According to a study, having meaningful friendships in old age is linked to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.  Meeting old friends can help seniors leave their daily stress behind and enjoy positive thoughts and a sense of calm.  Sleep soundly: Many seniors find it difficult to sleep, especially when they are undergoing a stressful phase. Insufficient sleep can put a lot of stress on their body – seniors can suffer from frustration, anxiety, anger, and depression due to poor sleeping habits. To enjoy a proper sleep at night, seniors should try to switch off their digital devices at least two hours before bed. Also, they should avoid having caffeinated drinks and heavy meals for at least two hours before bedtime. They can listen to soothing music as research has shown that  listening to music can be relaxing and effectively improve sleep quality among older adults.    Taking a little time each day to nurture your mind, body, and soul can enhance your resilience and help you maintain balance in life. At our retirement homes in India, the day starts with yoga, meditation sessions, and breathing exercises. There are a myriad of opportunities for our residents to unwind and relax. To know more about our retirement home facilities, call us at  +91 8884555554.

Leading a holistic lifestyle includes more than eating right and working out. It also includes making time for yourself and doing what you love. Spending time on activities that add joy and happiness to your daily routine can benefit your overall well-being. According to a study, actively engaging in healthy hobbies help older adults to preserve their cognitive function, physical function, and mental health. Hobbies also help seniors cope with stress, maintain a routine, and give structure to their days.    As one of the best retirement homes in Bangalore, we share with you a list of healthy hobbies that are positively associated with physical and mental health benefits:    Spend time with a pet:  Pets are great companions as they provide a comfort system. It has been found that simply petting an animal for 15 minutes can decrease cortisol levels (associated with increased stress). Moreover, pet owners, especially dog owners, walk more often and take longer walks than those who do not have pets. If you are not quite ready to adopt an animal, there are animal shelters that allow you to spend time with animals. Try volunteering: You can dedicate your free time to local charities, fundraisers, and homeless shelters. When it comes to volunteering, there is a lot you can do — from feeding the less privileged ones and teaching students to volunteering at the local library. Studies show that adults above 50 who volunteer feel socially connected. Performing volunteer work also increases physical activity among seniors who are not otherwise very active. Get involved in arts and crafts: Art and craft activities can help you express your inner thoughts and feelings. The process of turning a thought into a tangible piece of art keeps the brain active and provides a sense of accomplishment. It has been found that arts and crafts improve cognitive function and reduce depression levels significantly. Painting, sculpting, scrapbooking, and photography are some of the simple yet wonderful and contemplative creative activities that can offer tremendous benefits. Get into gardening: Gardening is a good physical activity. Bending, squatting, and stretching can get your heart pumping. Many studies suggest that gardening increases an individual’s life satisfaction and is also associated with lower levels of stress, anger, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.    The Virtuoso, India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards, will have a community planting patch on the rooftop. Also, there will be a podium at the table height to ensure that seniors do not have to bend too much to enjoy gardening.    Looking for the best place to buy a retirement home?    Living in one of our retirement homes in Bangalore will help you enjoy your retirement life to the fullest. As maintenance, housekeeping, and cooking are taken care of by our trained in-house staff, residents have all the time to do things they love. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Before retirement, professional commitments can keep your days structured and organised. However, after retirement, planning your days can be difficult and without a proper daily routine, you are thrown into a state of disarray. But creating a new routine and sticking to it is easier said than done, especially when you have all the time in the world. As one of the leading retirement homes in Coimbatore, we share with you a few useful tips for creating a daily routine:    1. Make a list: Write down your priorities and timings. Keeping a to-do list can help you avoid random and non-urgent tasks. Keep your daily to-do list small so that it is manageable. If you struggle to remember all the important tasks, carry a notebook around and take notes throughout the day. When you are able to cross items off your to-do list, it inspires you to accomplish more things.   2. Structure your day into smaller parts: To be productive, be as specific as you can when planning the day. When you are outlining the activities for the entire day, divide the day into different parts and write specific tasks next to each part of the day. Some people are early birds and get things done effectively before lunchtime while others prefer evenings. For instance, some people love doing creative activities such as writing, painting, and drawing either early in the morning or late in the night and devote the time in between for domestic chores. Think about the timings that work best for you to get the most out of the day.   3. Be consistent with time: Doing the same things at the same time can help you stick to your routine.  For instance, if you want to include morning walks in your daily routine, choose a regular time each day for the activity and try to stick to the time you have decided.   4. Leave room for flexibility: While it is a good idea to structure your days, it is also important that you leave room for unplanned things. Retirement years give seniors enough time to be spontaneous and be in charge of their own schedule. When it comes to daily routine, be flexible to do things that bring you joy.     Looking for senior citizen homes in Coimbatore?   Our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore offer services and amenities that help you maintain your independence and lead a worry-free lifestyle. Whether you want to join group yoga sessions or spend your free time pursuing new hobbies, our senior living communities offer you a world full of inviting opportunities and activities. To know more about our senior citizen homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Brunch parties are a fun and relaxed way to rekindle nostalgia times with old friends. Today’s seniors are looking for more socialising opportunities that promote friendship and positive memories. Hosting brunch parties is a great way for seniors to reconnect with their old friends, spend some wonderful time, and make good memories together. As one of the best senior citizen homes in India, we share some useful tips for seniors on hosting a brunch party:    1. Host a buffet-style party: At a buffet-style party, everyone can serve themselves, so the host can relax and enjoy with guests. Guests can get up and refill whenever they like. They do not have to wait for someone to ask them for a second helping. The most important thing is that everybody keeps on moving so there is always an interesting conversation flowing around.    2. Send an invitation at least three weeks before the party: There are no hard-and-fast rules about how to invite people to a brunch party. In today’s technology-driven world, people send an e-invite, a message, or a text. The invitation is often followed by a call. However, the host should call a couple of days after the first invite was sent. This gives the guests enough time to decide whether they will be accepting the invite or not.    3. Set a menu: There are no set rules about what should be on the brunch menu. As guests will be serving themselves, it is always a good idea to select food items that are not just tasty but also easy and convenient. Serve dishes that do not require last-minute preparation. A colourful tray of fruits can be a healthy and visually interesting addition to the menu. Also, keep a food name tag in front of each dish – it can be helpful for those with food allergies.    5. Choose the right music: While the music should be toe-tapping, it should not be too loud so that people find it difficult to hold conversations.    Looking for senior citizen homes in India with banquet halls?    At our senior citizen homes in India, we have banquet halls where residents can throw get-togethers and parties for their guests. From decoration to food catering, everything is taken care of by our trained staff. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554. 

For seniors, meditation offers a host of physical and emotional benefits. It has been found that meditation can reduce stress and symptoms of depression. Also, meditation can help people cope with chronic pain. But what are the most effective types of meditation? Well, the answer is simple – it is different for everyone. There are different kinds of meditation techniques from different traditions and cultures. If you are new to meditation, here are some of the popular types of meditation techniques. As one of the leading senior living homes in Bangalore, we have curated a list of techniques that can balance your mind, body, and spirit.   Mindfulness meditation: Several successful leaders practise mindfulness meditation to improve their productivity. From LinkedIn’s CEO Jeff Weiner to Ford Motor Company’s Executive Chairman Bill Ford, many leaders have acknowledged the importance of mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice where seniors learn to slow down their thoughts, let go of negative emotions, and calm their mind and body. Mindfulness meditation encourages one to be aware of the present moment rather than fearing the future or dwell on the past.  Spiritual meditation: Many seniors during their retirement years seek spiritual growth. Spiritual meditation can help seniors connect with God or a higher power. Spiritual meditation is used across the globe in countless religions and cultures. It can be practised in a place of worship or in a place that is devoid of distraction.  Movement meditation: Seniors who find the idea of sitting in one place difficult, can practise movement meditation. Movement meditation is also ideal for seniors who have a wandering mind. A senior can practise movement meditation while doing yoga. Also, this technique can be practised by seniors while they are walking, dancing, jogging, gardening, or even doing household chores.  Mantra meditation: Mantra meditation is one of the most common meditation techniques followed by seniors. This can be helpful for seniors who struggle to concentrate. In this technique, seniors choose a word or phrase that they keep on focussing and repeating while they meditate.    At our senior living homes in Bangalore, the day starts with yoga, meditation sessions, and breathing exercises. There are yoga decks, meditation zones, and open green spaces where our residents can relax, meditate, or self-reflect. If you want to know more about our senior citizen retirement homes in Bangalore, call us at +91 8884555554.

The holidays are a perfect time for family get-togethers, moments of connection, and making new memories. They offer the perfect opportunity to find moments of joy with your parents. As one of the leading retirement communities in India, we share with you some useful tips that will help you bond with your parents this holiday season:   Make them feel included: Help your parents become involved in the festivities. Ask their suggestions when selecting the menu and decor items for the holidays. Involving them in activities will get them excited about the holiday season and feel needed.  Help them get ready: During the holiday season, everybody wants to look good. Contact their salon and book hair appointments and beauty treatments for them or help them shop outfits for the holidays. Spend time with them looking at family photos: Take a look at the photo albums together and cherish those beautiful memories.  Revive old traditions: Family traditions hold values and are passed down from one generation to the next. However, in today’s busy lifestyle, many family traditions get buried. This holiday season, revive old traditions and enjoy performing them with your parents. Watch an old movie together: There is nothing like watching old films with your parents. Look for the movies that you watched with your parents when you were younger. You can even invite other family members for the movie night and share a laugh or two while watching the movie.  Give them a surprise visit: If your parents live in a retirement home, surprise them by visiting. You can even throw them a party. Many modern retirement homes in India have banquet halls where you can throw a party for your parents.     Looking for the best place to buy a retirement home?     If you or your loved ones are looking for retirement homes in India, explore our retirement communities in India. Our independent senior living communities let seniors start a new chapter in life and enjoy a worry-free lifestyle. Housekeeping, laundry service, and plumbing and electrical maintenance work are all taken care of by our experienced staff. A well-equipped medical centre and 24×7 ambulance is available when needed. To know more about our senior living communities in India, call us at +91 8884555554.

Today’s seniors are not letting life pass by them. They live life to the fullest and do not let age come in their way of realising their dreams. Just like the real-life seniors, the portrayal of seniors on screen has also undergone a sea change. Studios are rethinking their outdated views on ageing and are making more films that show ageing in a positive light.    If you are looking for movies that capture the beauty in ageing, here is a list curated by one of the leading senior living communities in Bangalore:   The Bucket List (English): The film captures the journey of two men suffering from cancer. Played by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, the two terminally ill men embark on a road trip to fulfil their last wishes. The film shows that the best way to live life is to be grateful for it and make sure that you are living each day with a purpose.  102 Not Out (Hindi): Sentimental and funny, the film explores the relationship between a 102-year-old father and his 75-year-old son. While the father has a joie-de-vivre demeanour, the son is grumpy. The son believes that he is too old to enjoy life while the case with the father is totally opposite. To make his son value life, the father threatens the son to send him to an elderly care home unless he fulfils his certain conditions. The aim of these conditions was to encourage the son to embrace life in a positive way. The journey of fulfilling these conditions is hilarious and at the same time insightful.   KD (Tamil): As people grow old, they are expected to behave in certain ways by their children and society. However, this film presents a unique take on ageing and desires. 80-year-old Karuppu Durai (Mu Ramasamy) runs away from home when he discovers his family plans to get rid of him. With the help of an 8-year-old, whom he met after running, he tries to fulfil his child-like desires. The film creates an amazing contrast between KD and the child, KD always has a twinkle in his eyes while the child is too wise for his age.  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (English): The film is about British retirees who come to India to take residence in a hotel, which, to their disappointment is not as luxurious as advertised. Though the retirees do not get what they had initially wished for, they embrace life and learn to adjust to the new realities with vigour.    Senior living in Bangalore: Explore India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards At Columbia Pacific Communities, we believe that age is just a number. Our independent senior living community in Bangalore is India’s first senior living community designed to international standards and is ideal for seniors who wish to spend their golden years in the lap of luxury and comfort while pursuing their passions. Book a virtual tour to know more.

It is well known that a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for chronic diseases. As people age, they tend to become less active physically which can lead to weight gain and increase causes of mortality.  However, the effects of a sedentary lifestyle are not just limited to physical health – as sleep pattern and mental well-being are also adversely impacted.    As one of the leading senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, we share with you some useful insights on living a sedentary lifestyle and what you can do to stay physically active:    Physical inactivity affects brain health: Sedentary lifestyle can adversely affect how the brain functions. It has been found that physical activity can protect against cognitive decline via glycemic control. Sedentary lifestyle slows down metabolism: When people spend most of their waking hours sitting or lying down, their leg muscles stop working and they consume minimal nutrients from the bloodstream. As a result, these muscles do not release substances that break down fatty acids in the blood which slows down the body’s metabolism. A slow metabolism affects the blood sugar and cholesterol levels.    What can you do to avoid a sedentary lifestyle?   1. Stand more: Standing can help you burn more calories and ease back pain. Increasing your daily standing time may reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Also, it has been found that standing is associated with better insulin sensitivity.    2. Try short workouts: Many seniors struggle to exercise continuously for an hour. They can try short bursts of exercises twice or thrice a day. It has been found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise several times a week can improve memory in older adults. The study found that after three months of such workouts, older adults performed better in a memory test.    3. Move every 30 minutes: To avoid sitting for long hours, seniors should take mini breaks. From climbing stairs and going for a walk to watering indoor plants – there are a host of activities that seniors can do while they are on a mini break.  Our senior citizen homes in Coimbatore are designed to encourage residents to participate in different physical activities. Whether it is guided yoga in the morning or dance classes by trained teachers, our activity calendar is designed to ensure that our residents enjoy a lifestyle that blends fun, learning, and fitness. You can check the list of senior citizen homes in Coimbatore: , Serene Idigarai by Columbia Pacific, Serene Shenbagam by Columbia Pacific, and Serene Indus Valley by Columbia Pacific. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Seniors are actively participating in green initiatives to lead an environment-friendly lifestyle. Many are embracing the idea of recycling and reusing to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. From using pickle jars for planting seeds to buying products made from recyclable products, they are trying different ways to recycle and reuse.    Looking for ideas to recycle and reuse?    As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we share with you a few useful ways to recycle and reuse:    A. Avoid single-use plastic: Nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced each year and half of which is for single-use items. Here are some tips to avoid single-use plastics:  Carry a reusable bag with you while you go for shopping.  Drink your coffee from a reusable cup.  Carry your own water bottle.  Use reusable stainless steel cutlery instead of plastic cutlery.   B. Recycle paper: Recycling paper helps the environment – it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Here are some tips to recycle and reuse paper: Use both sides of the paper.  Use scrap papers to make a notebook.   Be creative and use old newspaper for gift-wrapping  Designate a bin for used papers so they can be reused or can be sent for recycling C. Reduce waste: Before you throw something away, try to repair it. For instance, old furniture items can be reupholstered, and old clothes can be repaired or upcycled. Here are some more ideas to reduce waste on a daily basis.  Use reusable kitchen cloths instead of paper towels.  Try to fix an appliance first, before you throw it away.  Buy items that come with less packaging.  Reuse glass jars and old coffee canisters for storing pantry items.  Use old plastic bottles to store homemade cleaners. If old clothes are in good condition, donate them to a charity.  Do not throw broken dishes, you can use them as planters. Every time you recycle something, it conserves resources, helps the environment, and reduces landfill waste. In addition to recycling and reusing, today’s seniors are also actively participating in volunteering programs. Here is a list of meaningful activities that are enjoyed by seniors.  If you are looking for senior citizen homes in Bangalore for yourself or your loved ones, give us a call at +91 8884555554.

As parents grow old, they insist that they do not need or want gifts. However, on special occasions, giving your parents meaningful and useful gifts is one of the best ways to express your love and make them feel special. If you are looking for gifting ideas for your parents, here is a list that you might find useful:    Personalised gift: You can get their names engraved, embossed, or printed on gift items such as wallets, notebooks and pens. Also, you can get their photos printed on cushions, mugs, or key chains. Activity books and games: Colouring, solving puzzles, or playing board games are not just pastimes but they also offer numerous health benefits for seniors. Here is a useful read on how solving crossword puzzles can help seniors. This too can be a great gifting idea. Pill organiser: With a pill organiser, your parents can sort out medicines on a weekly or monthly basis. You can give them a digital pill organiser that comes with automatic alarms so that your parents do not miss a dose of their medication.  Gift a memorable holiday: If you are looking for a unique gift, think of gifting them a holiday—an experience they will cherish forever. Electronic items: Smartphones, smart home devices, digital health appliances, SOS phone, hearing aid, panic button, robotic vacuum cleaner, voice assistant gadgets, and key finders are some of the useful electronic appliances that you can gift your parents.  Exercising equipment: An exercise bike, cross-trainer, or a treadmill are useful gift items that will encourage your parents to stay physically active. When looking for senior-friendly exercising equipment, look for the ones that have a wide, comfortable seat and offer back support.    Gift them a worry-free retirement lifestyle    If you want to help your parents live an independent and worry-free retirement life, gifting them a retirement home can be the right gift. When you buy a retirement home for your parents, you do not give them a set of keys to a beautiful apartment – instead, you give them an opportunity to unlock a retirement life they have always dreamt of.   Senior living in India – explore our retirement homes  Our senior living communities in India offer a worry-free lifestyle so that your parents can enjoy each day the way they want to. From a fully equipped gym and swimming pool to dining facilities, everything is available within the premises. To know more about our retirement homes in India, call us at +91 8884555554.