Diabetes is a serious disease that affects many seniors. The high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels in legs and feet. As one of the leading senior citizen housing communities, we share with you a few insights on Diabetes foot examinations for seniors   1. Check skin condition: Diabetes can cause the blood vessels in the legs and feet to  narrow and harden, disrupting the blood flow to the feet. This causes many subtle changes in the skin, especially feet. Seniors with diabetes or high sugar levels must carefully inspect the feet for small ulcers. In the early stages of diabetes, the skin of the feet may look patchy, dry, or irritated.  2. Keep an eye out for nail symptoms: If the toenails appear yellow, white, or abnormally thick, these could be symptoms of toenail fungus. Though anyone can develop toenail fungus, seniors with diabetes are at higher risk of developing toenail fungus.  3. Do not ignore signs of calluses: A callus is a section of skin that thickens because of friction, pressure, or irritation. Often this problem is overlooked as a symptom caused by either a lot of walking or wearing wrong shoes. Seniors who suffer from diabetes are at higher risk of developing calluses.  4. Test for numbness: Numbness in the feet is a symptom of nerve damage, one of the most common long-term complications of type 2 diabetes. Seniors, especially those who are suffering from diabetes, should regularly check their feet for numbness or tingling. They can gently tap their feet and toes for a few seconds. In case of nerve damage, seniors may not feel anything on their feet on tapping.      Tips for seniors to take care of their feet Wash feet every day in warm (not hot) water.  Always wear shoes and socks or slippers, even indoors, to avoid injury.  Wear shoes that fit well.  Maintain feet hygiene by keeping them clean and trim toenails.  To remove corns or calluses, consult a podiatrist.   Walk, ride a bike, or swim for better blood circulation.    Looking for a senior citizen housing community that promotes holistic wellness?   As one of the leading senior citizen housing communities in India, we take pride in offering services and facilities that help seniors enjoy a worry-free lifestyle. To know about our retirement homes, average monthly cost of a retirement home, and services offered, call us at +91 8884555554.

Healthy joints are important for better mobility. But with ageing, the lubricating fluid inside the joints decreases, thus leading to joint stiffness. Here we discuss some useful tips that can help you keep your joints healthy.  Be active regularly  Being active has been proven to be beneficial in improving the functioning of joints in seniors. Multiple studies have shown that people who do moderate exercise on a regular basis have a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Low-intensity workouts such as walking, light jogging, swimming, yoga, and cycling can help seniors increase their range of motion. Also, regular exercise improves mobility and bone density.  Listen to your body There will be days when you feel sore and worn out. Do not overexert yourself – pay attention to your body’s warning signs and take a break for a few days.  Maintain right body posture Always maintain the right body posture while sitting. Always sit and stand upright. While working out, do not repeat the same movements every day. It may hurt the joints and make the pain worse.  Maintain a healthy weight Excess weight can put extra pressure on the weight-bearing joints, particularly, the hips, knees, and spine. Those who are overweight are more likely to develop arthritis compared to those who maintain a healthy weight.  Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet  Having a well-balanced diet that contains fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, can be good for your joints as well as health. Adding anti-inflammatory spices and herbs such as turmeric, basil, cumin, rosemary and ginger, can be beneficial. Choose plant protein sources such as legumes, nuts, seeds, and avocado to provide essential nutrients to your joints. Here is a useful read on food items that support joint health.  Note: The arthritis-affected joints are weak and prone to injuries. Therefore, it is important to take a few extra measures to protect them. Before starting a new exercise regimen, talk to your doctor and physiotherapist.  To increase your fitness in a welcoming and supportive environment, join a senior-friendly gym or a health club. At our retirement homes in Chennai –  Serene Pushkar and Serene Adinath– we have senior-friendly gyms, daily yoga classes, and a calendar filled with engaging activities that will help you stay socially and physically active.  For the average monthly cost of a retirement home, call us at +91 8884555554.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”― Plato Music is great for the physical and mental health of seniors – it boosts their mood, reduces anxiety, and even protects them against dementia. As one of the leading retirement homes in Chennai, we offer some useful insights on how music therapy can help seniors: Music supports cognitive well-being: It has been found that musical activities such as listening to music, learning to play an instrument, singing, and practising an instrument can improve the cognitive abilities of seniors. Reduces stress and anxiety: Music can transport people to a different world and can instantly lift their moods. Often, music therapists use particular themes, lyrics, instruments, or rhythms to help participants relax. Multiple studies have shown that music helps lower the level of cortisol which is primarily a stress hormone. This helps seniors feel calmer and less anxious, helping them deal with stressful situations.   Inspires movement: Music can be highly motivating for seniors when they are walking, jogging, or working out. Listening to a great song can encourage seniors to tap their toes, clap or even dance. It has been found that upbeat music can help when exercising, especially when it comes to high-intensity workouts. Music also helps in improving coordination. Regardless of the exercise, music encourages people to move rhythmically.  Builds and strengthens social connections: Music is a powerful social glue. Listening to music and singing together play an important role in social closeness and connection. Music makes seniors more social and creates a positive environment.  At Columbia Pacific Communities, we ensure that our residents experience a retired life of their dreams. We offer a worry-free lifestyle to our residents. From housekeeping and dining to home security – everything is taken care of by our trained professionals. This allows our residents to focus on relaxing, meeting new people, and pursuing new hobbies. To know the average monthly cost of a retirement home, call us at +91 8884555554.

Exercising is good for your physical and mental health. It plays an important role in helping you stay physically independent as you age. However, as people retire, life starts to slow down. Many people gradually stop being as active as they once were. If you have just turned 60 or passed that milestone and are planning to get back to exercising, you are on the right page.  Here are some useful insights on getting back to exercising after 60 curated by one of the leading retirement homes in Chennai:   Consult a doctor: Before you start any new exercise regime, it is important to consult your doctor, especially if you have not been exercising for a while. Your doctor will check your fitness level or if you have any medical conditions that may need you to avoid certain exercises.   Do not let negative emotions hold you back: If you have never exercised or have not done it for a long time, it can be challenging at first. Do not let negative thoughts stop you. Remember, exercising is good for your mental and your overall health.  Find something you love: Doing physical activities that you love can make it easier for you to follow an exercise regimen. You may love taking long walks in the open or doing yoga in the morning — start with what you like the most. You can also experiment with different types of physical activities. This will prevent your daily workout routine from getting monotonous.  Work out with a fitness buddy: Working out with a friend can be both fun and competitive. When you work out with a friend, you hold each other accountable – which brings a healthy level of motivation and competition.  Join a beginner’s class: Learning to exercise with the help of an experienced instructor can be quite helpful in understanding the movements that suit you individually. Also, joining a class can help you stay motivated as you will get to exercise with others.  At our retirement homes in Chennai, we encourage our residents to stay physically and socially active. One of the many benefits of living in our retirement community is that our residents get to stay physically active without stepping outside the community. The retirement homes have facilities such as fully equipped gyms and a clubhouse for indoor games. There are numerous activities such as yoga and dance classes to help our residents follow a daily exercise routine. To find out the average monthly cost of staying in one of our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.