Columbia Pacific Communities Articles

To logically predict the outlook for the senior living sector in 2021, one must examine the various factors that have been impacting society over the last couple of decades and how the once in a lifetime event of 2020 will lift the senior living sector to a completely changed paradigm. Baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) are increasingly finding themselves living on their own. This is a function of two distinct sociological changes that have been taking place in the country over the past couple of decades. In the first place, this generation has given their children the advantage of improved access to quality education. This combined with greater employment opportunities across India and other parts of the world have allowed the children to pursue better and more rewarding careers while taking them away from the home city of their parents. At the same time, better medical facilities, a healthier lifestyle, improved savings, and an aspirational approach to living means more and more “seniors” prefer to live independently, pursue their interests and passions with great vigour after their formal retirement and have the means, the time and the energy to do so. However, with time, these seniors increasingly need to depend on external service providers to support and fulfil their daily needs. This applies as much to security, housekeeping and maintenance requirements as it does to travel for socialising and their medical needs. What the seniors need is an enabler. A service provider who fulfils their day-to-day needs; and a living space that provides them with the necessary infrastructure to enjoy a socially engaging lifestyle. The same space and service provider should also be able to address their current and emergent medical needs. Given that physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual needs change over time, the community and services provider should also be able to adapt and enhance support over time. Well designed and serviced senior living communities are the solution to this requirement. Even before 2020, it was estimated that there was a demand for 200,000 homes in senior living communities in urban India. At that time, less than 20,000 homes – half ready-to-move-in and the other half in various stages of development were available in the country. COVID – 19 and the lockdowns in 2020 exposed how ill-prepared we are as a society to look after the needs of our seniors – especially as they become dependent on others for their daily living. Seniors residing alone in their homes – individual villas or in apartments in mixed-family condominiums found themselves completely at the mercy of others. Their children, unable to travel themselves or provide any assistance from afar were equally distraught at their helplessness. When compared against the experience of seniors living on communities designed to fulfil their needs, the contrast was palpable. Good senior living communities were able to ringfence their residents from the external environment. Continued social interaction with like-minded neighbours and friends while maintaining physical distancing ensured there was no loneliness. Round-the-clock availability of medical support provided peace of mind to residents and their children. It is this experience that is now driving the 4x increase in demand and interest as seen by the velocity in sales in new projects, waiting lists for rental or re-purchase at ready to move in communities, organic traffic to website and support of both friends and family of seniors seeking such a solution. Since senior living communities are a complex combination of real estate, hospitality services and healthcare, with their unique and core specializations, one expects to see more collaborative efforts between developers and service providers as they synergise their competencies to develop solutions for residents. Senior living communities, until recently have been confined to areas outside the heart of the cities or in smaller towns / suburbs. These will change with developers seeing them as an important part of the integrated townships that they develop. I am convinced that given the size of the demand, the real need for this solution, and the growing acceptance of the concept, 2021 will see senior living communities shedding their wholly undeserved perception of being a solution for people who have “no option” to being the “preferred solution” for seniors wanting to enjoy life to the fullest. This article is contributed by Mohit Nirula, CEO, Columbia Pacific Communities. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of RoofandFloor.

Writing is wonderful for the mind and soul. When done in a focused way, it has mood-enhancing powers and lets the writer explore his/her creative side. It is also a powerful form of communication. People write to express their emotions, ideas, and opinions. However, writing does more than just helping people record their emotions or find self-expression. Writing about a stressful situation can be cathartic for some – it helps people come to grips with their own feelings. Here is a quick look into the emotional benefits of writing: Writing reduces stress: Writing is a great way to relieve stress. It helps you process your thoughts and emotions. If you are facing a difficult situation, writing about it will help you think critically and review the situation differently. According to this research, when people who have experienced trauma write about the event for at least 15 minutes a day, it positively affects their health. Acts as a mood booster: Writing provides you with an outlet for your creative skills which not only reduces stress, but also acts as a mood booster. It can also be an outlet for anxiety as you can put down your feelings, worries and doubts on paper. Sharpens your mind: When you structure your thoughts and look for appropriate words, sentences, and phrases to express them, it boosts your cognitive functions. Fosters better social connections: Writing about your everyday life can help you build better social relationships. When you write about a problem or a misunderstanding with other people, it gives you time to think about different perspectives. It gives you an opportunity to understand things from others’ points of view. The more you write, the better are your chances of empathising with others. How to get started with writing? Often people have many thoughts to express but getting the first sentence on paper can be at times difficult. One of the best ways to get started is to write about your day, your surroundings, or an experience you have had. Pick a suitable time of the day to write in your diary as when you are writing you don’t want to be disturbed by phone calls or messages. In our senior homes in Coimbatore, we have libraries and Wi-Fi-enabled clubhouses where you can put your thoughts into words in a quiet setting. As one of the best senior citizen homes in Coimbatore, we encourage our residents to write. We feature poems and write-ups written by our residents on our website as well as in our monthly journals. To know more about how we encourage positive ageing at our senior living facilities in India, visit here. Read More – 6 Steps to Healthy, Happy Ageing

As people grow old, they look forward to retirement as a time to finally slow down and relax. However, old age comes with its own set of problems and family members remain concerned about the safety and security of their aged, loved ones. Here are a few concerns that families have and how some of the leading senior citizen homes in Coimbatore are addressing them: Age-related physical changes: Many elderly people have low physical activity which can lead to various health problems like high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels and high cholesterol levels. In addition to physical benefits, exercising regularly helps seniors maintain their independence and improve their self-confidence. At our senior living communities in Coimbatore, we help our residents maintain adequate fitness levels with help of well-designed activities. From well-equipped gyms and swimming pools to a dedicated physiotherapist working on improving the fitness levels of residents – the best-rated retirement homes have all the facilities that encourage residents to remain fit and healthy. Loneliness: Families of senior citizens are often worried about their loved one’s lack of social life. Socialising and spending time with family and friends is good for the physical and cognitive health of seniors. At our senior living communities in Coimbatore, seniors enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere. From language classes and music lessons to weekend excursions, there are various activities that keep our residents busy and entertained. Transportation: Families are often concerned about their elderly members driving. At our senior living communities in Coimbatore, our concierge team helps residents hire vehicles from reliable places. They also assist with booking tickets and organising trips. Healthcare: As people get older, their family gets concerned about their health. It is important to get health screening done regularly to spot a problem at an early stage. At our senior living communities in Coimbatore, we provide comprehensive geriatric assessment and supportive care. There are regular health screenings done and medical records of residents are always up to date with us. We also have tie-ups with nearby hospitals for immediate medical assistance. Interesting Article – How Does the Right Attitude Help You Live Independently? Tips from a Senior Citizen Retirement Home in Coimbatore

If your parents are planning to settle down in Chennai after retirement, it’s a great decision. As the city is a cultural powerhouse – your parents can enjoy their time visiting art museums, theatres and galleries. The cultural centres host interesting events and festivals throughout the year. The commercial capital of the state also offers an escape into nature – you can visit nearby hill stations such as Ooty, Yercaud and Yelagiri. If you are wondering if moving into senior citizen homes is the right decision, then keep on reading: A sense of belongingness: Loneliness is a big problem at any age, but it is particularly serious for seniors. When people retire, they lose their existing circle of friends. After retirement many find it difficult to create a social network outside work. At senior citizen homes, people find structured activities that help them pursue their interests and make new social contacts, thus giving them a sense of belongingness. Life after retirement can be lonely: With children being busy with their hectic lives, an increasing number of seniors find it difficult to cope with loneliness. The sense of loneliness worsens with losing spouse. Senior citizen homes such as ours — Serene Adinath and Serene Pushkar — present a good opportunity for seniors to spend time with people of their own age and make meaningful connections. Loneliness can adversely affect eating habits: Loneliness can lead to either overeating or undereating. Often some seniors use food to soothe uncomfortable feelings by overeating while others refrain from eating. At senior citizen homes, residents often eat together which in a way helps them combat the feeling of social isolation. Feeling of social isolation can lead to health-related issues: With age comes isolation and loneliness. Not many people realise that loneliness can cause a number of health issues in seniors, including depression, cognitive decline, dementia, high blood pressure etc. People who feel lonely are less likely to take good care of their health. They are likely to stay physically inactive and have eating disorders. Read More – How Retirement Homes in Chennai are Turning Aging into a Happy Experience

Music has a powerful impact on how we feel. Have you ever wondered why certain peppy numbers make you feel happy? Or why certain songs and tunes evoke happy memories and provide comfort in stressful times? For years, people have benefitted from the healing powers of music and elderly people are no exception. Music can help seniors cope with age-related problems like stress, anxiety, and depression. As one of the best retirement homes in India, we discuss how music can benefit seniors: Reduces stress: Listening to music can help seniors deal with stress and anxiety in a better way. Soothing music can have a calming effect on people as it takes one’s mind off things. Music helps people stay calm and focused. Upbeat music gives the day an energetic start. Various studies suggest that music has major effects on health, ranging from cognitive function to cardiovascular health. Being one of the best rated senior living communities in India, we organise music concerts from time to time. Improves memory: Music often evokes memories; this keeps the brain sharp and active. Learning vocal music or learning to play a musical instrument is good for the brain as they can ward off age-related cognitive decline. Increases social activity: There is no doubt that music brings people together. At our senior living communities in India, we host music classes for our resident. During these sessions, seniors learn about the nuances of music and also get to connect with others. Besides learning something new, music helps in alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation. Encourages exercise: Listening to music while exercising not only kills boredom, but it also makes seniors exercise more efficiently. Music can be highly motivating when seniors are walking, dancing, and working out in the gym. Interesting Read – Take a Look at These Interesting Entertainment Ideas for Seniors

Greek philosopher Aristotle once famously said, “The end of labour is to gain leisure.” After having worked hard for years, retirement is the best time to focus on things that you love. As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we offer a wide range of leisure activities that help our residents meet and engage with like-minded people. Let’s take a look at some of the leisure activities liked by our residents: Reading: There is nothing like the joy of holding a book and reading it in silence. Reading helps people slip away to a different world, forgetting all their worries and problems for a while. Our retirement home in Bangalore has a well-stocked library where residents can enjoy their favourite books in a relaxed and quiet ambience. We also have book clubs where seniors can meet like-minded residents and engage in interesting debates and discussions. Playing indoor games: Be it puzzles, chess, or board games, indoor games help seniors boost their memory, enhance their verbal and numeric skills, and improve their spatial abilities. Our residents enjoy playing indoor games at our board game rooms – where they find a host of opportunities to improve their memory skills, verbal language acuity and decision-making abilities. Learning a new skill: Be it learning a new language or figuring out the nuances of photography, there is a lot that our residents can do to spend their leisure time in meaningful ways. We have music and dance classes, art and craft classes to help our residents learn a new hobby and socially engage with others. We have a dedicated concierge team that helps seniors learn about different activities going on in and around our senior living community. Travelling: At our retirement homes in Bangalore, many residents love travelling to nearby hill stations like Coorg and Ooty. Our friendly and dedicated concierge team helps them with hiring vehicles and booking hotels. If you are looking for premium retirement homes (senior living communities) in Bangalore, visit The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences in Budigere. From spa, indoor theatre and fitness deck to barbeque area on the roof – the community amenities are designed to provide the best in holistic health and wellness. To know more about our premium retirement homes in Bangalore, call us on +91 8884555554. Read More – 6 Fun Activities for Senior Citizens to Stay Active Physically and Mentally

Senior-friendly residential properties, great shopping scene, wonderful weather, world-renowned healthcare facilities and safer streets are some of the reasons behind Bangalore emerging as one of the most favoured options for retirees and a growing number of retirement homes in Bangalore. Let us take a brief look at some of the important factors that influence seniors to move to the “city of gardens”: Social life: Popularly emerging as a senior citizen’s haven, Bangalore offers something for everyone. Art lovers can spend their days visiting museums, art exhibitions and galleries. Those who love dining out will be spoilt for choice as the city is home to several amazing restaurants. Bangalore is also a shopper’s paradise. From boutiques selling ethnic crafts and artifacts to stores from major retailers, a discerning shopper will never find the city boring. Also, hill stations such as Ramanagara and Nandi Hills are a few hours away – which means there is a lot here for seniors who love the outdoors. Healthcare: When it comes to selecting a retirement location, seniors prefer cities with access to great medical facilities which include preventative medical and dental treatment, a number of specialists and urgent care facilities. Bangalore has several world-class hospitals where care is appropriately tailored to the needs of older patients. Amazing weather: Not all cities are created equal, especially when it comes to experiencing year-round pleasant weather. Retirees who want to escape the brutal winters and the sweltering summers, can find solace in Bangalore. The city experiences wonderful weather throughout the year, thus making it the perfect place to settle down after retirement. Our senior living community in Bangalore offers the residents an enriched and independent lifestyle with security and plenty of new opportunities to socialise with other like-minded residents. Residents have the peace of mind knowing that there are services and amenities available 24 hours a day to meet any kind of emergency needs. To know more about our senior living communities, call us on +91 8884555554. Interesting Read – Why is Bangalore a Good Place to Enjoy Your Retired Life?

Buying a retirement home is a great way to enjoy your golden years in a vibrant community. However, it is also a major financial commitment that requires careful consideration and meticulous planning. Here we discuss a few important factors to consider before taking the leap: Location: Proximity to family and friends, access to healthcare, cost of living and climate are some of the factors that you should consider before choosing the location. Our senior living communities in India are strategically located so that our residents enjoy a tranquil environment and at the same time have easy access to social infrastructure. Worry-free lifestyle: The golden years of your life call for a worry-free lifestyle. As you age, household chores like cleaning the house, preparing meals and maintaining the garden become a burden. At our senior living communities in India, we offer facilities like laundry, housekeeping, and 24×7 maintenance staff to help our residents enjoy their retirement life to the fullest. To know more about the amenities and services offered at Columbia Pacific Communities, call us on +91 8884555554. Senior-friendly features: When looking at senior living communities, pay attention to features like wide corridors, well-lit walking paths and emergency alert systems. The best retirement homes in India are designed to give seniors the best living experience. For instance, the dwelling unit and common areas in our communities have anti-skid flooring and the rooms are designed to allow easy wheelchair access. Future medical needs: At the time of buying a retirement home, you may be healthy and active. But as you grow older, your medical needs are likely to change. The best place to buy a retirement home would be the one with easy access to medical care. All our retirement homes in India have tie-ups with nearby hospitals which means round-the-clock care for our residents. Also, there are emergency medical facilities available on the campus. We currently have senior community living facilities in Pondicherry, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, and Bangalore. Interested in learning more about what life is like at our communities? Contact us today. Interesting Read – How to Start Your Search for the Best Rated Senior Living Community? Amenities You Can Expect at The Best Rated Senior Living Communities Checklist: Selecting The Best Rated Senior Living Communities The Best Cities To Live After Retirement In India

Bangalore is one of the best Indian cities to settle down in after retirement. The city is lively and cosmopolitan with an impressive art and theater scene. Bangalore is also known for its great medical and healthcare services. So, if you have decided to move to Bangalore and are looking at different senior living options in the city, take a look at this useful read: Where is it located? When it comes to choosing a senior living community in Bangalore, make a mental note of the amenities that are close by, including grocery stores, shopping centres, hospitals and pharmacy. What kind of services do you want? A worry-free lifestyle is one the biggest perks of moving into a senior living community. For instance, at our community living facility in Bangalore, all the maintenance (including housekeeping and laundry) chores are taken care of by the staff. What is the cost of living? The cost of living in a senior living facility varies from city to city. For instance, the monthly cost of retirement homes in metro cities like Bangalore will be higher than that in tier-two cities. The cost of a dwelling unit can go from about Rs 45 lakh for a small one BHK apartment to over Rs 1 crore for a three BHK apartment. To know more, call us on +91 8884555554. How close are you to healthcare facilities? As you grow older, access to healthcare is important. Look around for senior living communities that offer on-campus emergency care and have partnerships with leading local hospitals. The best senior living communities such as ours offer emergency care with 24×7 ambulance service. Also, we have doctor-on-call services to address any kind of medical emergency. With a dedicated team and trusted emergency protocols in place, we ensure that our residents are assured round-the-clock care. How safe is the property? What about senior-friendly features? Check whether the apartments are fitted with emergency call systems. Also, whether they are designed to be safe and secure. Are the outdoor spaces in the community senior friendly? Another important factor to consider is the security of the premises – is the community gated? Are the common areas under the surveillance of CCTV cameras? Is there firefighting equipment in the premises? When it comes to Columbia Pacific Communities, we ensure that our residents spend their retirement years enjoying, not worrying. With senior-friendly homes, 24×7 security team, firefighting equipment and other amenities – ours is a gated community that offers the residents a worry-free lifestyle. Read More – Security and Safety Factors to Consider When Looking for Senior Living Homes in Bangalore

One of the objectives of senior living communities in India like ours is to help the elderly residents stay fitter and enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle. As a leading senior living community, we take a holistic approach to positive ageing. With home maintenance, housekeeping and meals taken care of, our residents enjoy a variety of sport and fitness activities designed to help them stay physically active and mentally agile. Here’s a look at some of our amenities and services that help seniors live healthy and active lives: Senior-friendly walking paths: Experts believe that walking is the best form of physical exercise for seniors. Walking is a low-impact exercise that improves cardiac health, boosts mood, and prevents weight gain. At our senior living homes in India, we have installed anti-skid tiles to ensure that our senior residents enjoy a safe walking experience. Also, the walking paths are well-lit and safe so that our residents can go for a walk at any time of the day. Swimming pools with anti-skid vitrified tiles: Swimming is a low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular fitness and boosts muscle strength. In our select senior living communities, we have swimming pools with anti-skid vitrified tiles where seniors can enjoy a variety of water-based exercises. Fully equipped senior-friendly gym: Our fitness centre helps our residents improve their strength and agility. Be it cardio exercises or strength training workouts, our fitness centre has the right equipment and environment to help senior residents improve their overall endurance level. Yoga and aerobics classes: To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important that our residents incorporate physical activities into their daily routines. In our senior living homes, the day starts with stretching exercises designed by qualified physiotherapists. There are dedicated yoga and aerobics classes conducted regularly for the residents. These classes help our senior residents improve their flexibility and balance. Wholesome meals: A healthy and active lifestyle is incomplete without healthy eating. Healthy eating when combined with physical activities can lead to a healthier lifestyle. At our senior living communities, daily meals are planned by a qualified nutritionist to ensure that our residents enjoy a variety of nutrient-packed meals. All the meals are prepared considering the health needs of seniors. Our senior living communities promote a carefree lifestyle with all the comforts and amenities one could hope to find. To explore the senior living communities at Columbia Pacific Communities, get in touch with our team today. Interesting Read – Learn How Retirement Home Facilities are Helping Seniors Live a Hassle-free Lifestyle