Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

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.

“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.